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HISTORY  OF 

FORT  DODGE 

AND 

WEBSTER  COUNTY 

IOWA 


VOLUME 


CHICAGO 

THE  PIONEER  PUBLISHING  COMPANY 
1913 


■  •     •  \ 


THE  I^'EW  YORK 
PUBLIC     LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LeNOX  AYIO 
TILD6.N  FOUNDATIONS. 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


JOHN  F.  DUNCOMBE. 

John  F.  Dunconibe,  deceased,  who  was  a  prominent  attorney-at- 
law  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  was  born  in  W'attsburg,  Pennsyhania, 
October  22,  183 1.  Under  the  parental  roof  he  spent  his  boyhood 
days  and  in  his  native  town  acquired  his  early  education,  which  was 
supplemented  by  study  in  Allegheny  College  of  Meadville,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  in  the  Center  College  at  Danville,  Kentucky.  He  was 
graduated  from  both  of  these  institutions  before  taking  up  the  study 
of  law  in  his  native  town  in  the  office  of  Marshall  &  Vincent.  He 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  Pennsylvania  and  for  one  year  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  there.  In  April,  1855,  he  came  to 
Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  and  began  the  practice  of  law  in  this  city.  He 
made  for  himself  a  creditable  place  in  the  ranks  of  the  legal  fra- 
ternity and  was  widely  known  for  the  care  with  which  he  prepared 
his  cases.  In  no  instance  was  his  reading  ever  confined  to  the  limita- 
tions of  the  questions  at  issue;  it  compassed  every  contingency  and 
provided  not  alone  for  the  expected  but  as  well  for  the  unexpected, 
which  happens  in  the  courts  quite  as  frequently  as  out  of  them.  His 
logical  grasp  of  the  facts  and  principles  of  the  law  applicable  to 
them  has  been  another  potent  element  in  his  success,  and  his  remark- 
able clearness  of  expression  and  precise  diction  were  counted  among 
his  conspicuous  gifts  and  accomplishments.  For  thirty-seven  years 
he  acted  as  attorney  for  the  Iowa  division  of  the  Illinois  Central 
Railroad  and  he  served  in  the  same  capacity  for  the  Mason  City  & 
Fort  Dodge,  the  Des  Moines  &  h'ort  Dodge  and  the  Cherokee  & 
Dakota  Railroads.  He  practiced  in  twenty-five  counties  in  the  state. 
In  political  and  public  life  Mr.  Duncombe  was  equally  prominent. 
In  1857,  when  the  news  of  the  Spirit  Lake  massacre  reached  Fort 
Dodge,  he  took  an  active  part  in  raising  the  troops  which  were  sent 
against  the  Indians,  and  he  acted  as  captain  of  Company  B.  In 
1859  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate  from  the  senatorial  district 
which  was  then  composed  of  one-fourth  of  the  entire  state.  He  also 
was  a  member  of  the  lower  house  for  two  terms  and  attended  four 


6  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COLWTY 

general  and  three  special  sessions.  In  1872  he  served  as  chairman  of 
the  Iowa  delegation  to  the  national  democratic  convention  at  Balti- 
more. For,  sixteen  years  he  served  as  regent  of  the  State  University 
and  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Geer  to  serve  on  the  capital  com- 
mission but  this  honor  he  declined.  Because  of  his  public  energy 
and  liberality  his  name  is  identified  with  most  of  the  institutions  of 
Fort  Dodge.  The  Duncombe  Hotel  stands  in  proof  of  his  public 
spirit  and  it  is  an  acknowledged  fact  that  his  individual  efforts  and 
support  were  employed  in  all  enterprises  persuading  railroad  com- 
panies to  extend  their  lines  into  Fort  Dodge.  In  conjunction  with 
C.  B.  Richards  he  developed  the  coal  mines  at  this  place  and  at 
Boone,  and  he  served  as  secretary  for  both  the  Fort  Dodge  Coal 
Company  and  the  Rocky  Ford  Coal  Company  of  Wyoming  Territory. 
On  May  11,  1859,  Mr.  Duncombe  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  A. 
Williams,  a  daughter  of  Major  \\'illiam  Williams,  the  patriot-pioneer 
of  Fort  Dodge.  To  this  union  seven  children  were  born,  including 
the  following:  William  E. ;  Charles  F.,  publisher  of  the  Chronicle 
and  former  mayor  of  Fort  Dodge;  Mary  J.,  wife  of  Senator  W.  S. 
Kenyon :  Gertrude ;  and  John  A.  In  politics  Mr.  Duncombe  was  an 
inflexible  democrat,  stanchly  supporting  the  policies  and  activities 
of  that  party.  His  influence  was  always  used  along  the  lines  of 
reform  and  progress.  He  was  a  charter  member  of  the  chapter  and 
commandery  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  of  this  city  and  also  attained 
the  thirty-third  degree  of  the  Scottish  Rite.  Mrs.  Duncombe  is 
president  of  the  Webster  County  Historical  Society,  an  office  which 
she  is  well  qualified  to  hold,  as  she  has  been  a  resident  of  this  city 
since  her  arrival  here  in  1855.  At  i)resent  she  is  li\'ing  at  the  old 
home.  Fair  Oaks.  Mr.  Duncombe's  death  occurred  .\ugust  2,  1902. 
His  interest  in  community  affairs  was  that  of  a  public-spirited  citizen 
who  recognized  the  opportunities  for  reform,  progress  and  improve- 
ment, and  he  labored  to  achieve  what  could  l)e  attained  in  that 
direction. 


CHARLES  LARRABEE. 


Charles  Larrabee.  a  leading  and  respected  resident  of  F^ort  Dodge, 
living  at  No.  1222  Si.xth  avenue,  South,  is  a  well  known  factor  in 
financial  circles  as  the  vice  president  and  a  director  of  the  Iowa 
Savings  Bank  and  is  also  prominent  in  agricultural  circles  as  a  far- 
mer and  breeder  of  thoroughbred  cattle.     His  birth  occurred  in  Cler- 


<^^^-/jc:^ 


'C^i^t^ 


THE  NEW  YORK 
PUBLIC     LIBRARY 


ASTOFI,   LENOX 
TILDE N   FOUNDa 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  9 

mont,  Iowa,  on  the  13th  of  June,  i86_',  his  parents  being  Hon.  W'il- 
liam  and  Ann  M.  (Appehuan)  Larrabee.  x\  sketch  of  the  father 
appears  on  anotlier  page  of  this  work.  The  paternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject  was  Adam  Larrabee,  while  his  maternal  grandparents 
were  Gustavus  Adolphus  and  Prudence  Ann   (Williams)   Appelman. 

Charles  Larrabee  was  reared  in  the  city  of  his  nativity  and  ob- 
tained his  early  education  in  the  public  schools,  continuing  his  studies 
in  the  Iowa  Agricultural  College  at  Ames.  Assisting  in  the  work  of 
his  father's  farm,  he  early  became  familiar  with  the  duties  and  labors 
that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist,  and  in  the  pursuit  of  farming 
and  stock-raising  he  has  found  both  pride  and  pleasure.  After  putting 
aside  his  text-books  he  went  to  Kossuth  county,  Iowa,  to  look  after 
his  father's  landed  interests  there,  and  for  a  period  of  seven  years 
resided  at  Armstrong  in  Emmet  county,  just  over  the  Kossuth  county 
line.  Subsequently  he  came  to  Fort  Dodge  and,  in  association  with 
E.  J.  Breen  and  others,  organized  the  Iowa  Savings  Bank  with  a 
capitalization  of  fifty  thousand  dollars.  In  the  capacity-  of  \ice 
president  he  has  since  contributed  in  large  measure  to  the  growth 
and  success  of  the  institution.  He  is  also  connected  with  the  Corn 
Belt  Packing  Company,  the  E.  H.  Williams  Lumber  Company  and 
the  Lehigh  Sewer  Pipe  &  Tile  Company.  The  pursuits  of  faniiint;' 
and  stock-raising,  however,  have  claimed  the  major  portion  of  his 
time  and  attention.  He  and  his  brother.  Senator  Frederic  Lar- 
rabee, are  Ijreeders  of  the  Brown  Swiss  ami  Hereford  cattle.  In 
1881,  at  the  Iowa  State  Fair,  he  exhibited  for  liis  father  tlie  first 
herd  of  Brown  Swiss  cattle  ever  shown  at  that  fair  and  received  a 
silver  medal.  He  owns  farms  in  Kossuth  and  Lyon  counties,  and 
the  cattle  farm  which  he  owns  in  association  with  his  brother  com- 
prises four  hundred  acres  and  lies  just  soutli  of  the  corporate  limits 
of  Fort  Dodge.  His  interests  are  varied  and  important  and  in 
their  successful  control  he  lias  won  a  i:re(lital)!e  measure  of  pros- 
perity and  an  enviable  reputation  for  integrity  and  straight- 
forward dealing. 

On  the  Pth  of  May,  1901,  Mr.  Larrabee  was  muted  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Charlotte  Winston  Osborn.  a  native  of  Ripi^ey,  Iowa,  and  a 
daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  an<l  .Mittie  (  Shelton)  Osborn,  who  were 
born  in  Indiana  and  Virginia  respectively.  Her  parents  became  early 
settlers  of  Greene  county,  Iowa,  and  arc  still  residents  of  Rippey, 
where  Mr.  Osborn  has  been  engaged  in  ilic  drug  business  since  1878. 
He  was  connected  with  the  board  of  regents  at  Iowa  City  and  also 
with  the  board  of  trustees  of  the   Iowa  State  Teachers'  College  at 


10  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Cedar  Falls  for  a  number  of  years.  He  has  three  children,  William 
S.,  Wayne  M.  and  Charlotte  \\inston  Larrabee.  The  last  named  is 
the  mother  of  three  children,  namely:  Charles,  Jr.,  Frederic  Osborn 
and  Anne. 

Charles  Larrabee  is  a  stanch  repuWican  and  has  been  a  member 
of  the  Fort  Dodge  city  council  for  one  term.  While  still  a  resident 
of  his  native  city  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  Clermont  school 
board.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Episcopal  church.  As  a  business 
man  Mr.  Larrabee  has  been  conspicuous  among  his  associates,  not 
only  for  his  success,  but  for  his  fairness  and  honorable  methods.  In 
everything  he  has  been  eminently  practical,  and  this  has  been  mani- 
fest not  only  in  his  business  undertakings  but  in  his  agricultural, 
social  and  private  life. 


O.  J.  WOODARD. 


O.  J.  Woodard  is  cashier,  general  manager  and  a  director  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Lehigh,  Iowa,  of  which  city  he  has  been  a 
resident  since  1910.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Ella  (Irish)  \\'oodard, 
the  former  a  native  of  Maine,  his,  birth  having  occurred  in  1820, 
and  the  latter  a  native  of  Vermont.  The  father  was  reared  at  Fox- 
croft,  Maine,  where  he  learned  the  trades  of  carpenter  and  mill- 
wright. In  1852  he  went  to  California,  making  the  journey  by  way 
of  Cape  Horn,  and  after  reaching  the  Golden  state  was  for  some  time 
interested  in  mining.  He  then  removed  to  Minnesota  in  the  early 
'60s,  where  he  remained  until  1871,  at  which  time  he  located  on  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  and  si.xteen  acres  in  P.urnside  townshi]),  Web- 
ster county.  Iowa.  At  the  time  of  the  discovery  of  gold  in  Dead- 
wood,  South  Dakota,  he,  in  company  with  three  men  from  Fort 
Dodge,  went  to  that  gold  camp,  where  he  remained  for  some  time  and 
then  returned  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  continued  to  live  until 
1884.  He  then  removed  with  his  family  to  his  farm  in  Burnside 
township  and  there  died  in  1888.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella  Irish 
in  Minnesota.  At  an  early  age  she  removed  with  her  parents  from 
Vermont  and  settled  in  Wisconsin.  Later  the  family  took  up  their 
abode  in  Minnesota.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Woodard  were  the  parents  of 
four  children:  Belle,  the  wife  of  \\'.  A.  Van  \\'inkle.  li\ing  at 
Davton,  Iowa;  Fern,  who  also  resides  in  Davton :  Beatrice,  who  mar- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  11 

ried  O.  L.  Smith,  of  Oiiincy,  Michigan;  and  O.  J.,  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.     The  mother  of  this  family  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  now  resides  with  her  eldest  daughter  in  Dayton. 
O.  J.  \\'oodard  was  reared  at  home  and  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Fort  Dodge  and  later  pursued  a  course 
in  the  Highland  Park  College  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa.    After  completing 
his  education  he  was  engaged  in  farming  from  1893  to  January,  1907. 
His  father  died  when  the  subject  of  this  review  was  a  j^outh  of  thir- 
teen years  and   for  nineteen  years   following  his   father's  death  he 
had  charge  of  the  home  farm,  a  position  which  he  filled  during  his 
college  days.     He  was  also  subsequently  deputy  treasurer  of  Webster 
county,  serving  under  Mr.  Hadley,  who  was  the  treasurer.     He  later 
filled  the  position  of  cashier  of  the  State  Savings  Bank  at  Yetter, 
Iowa,  and  as  such  continued  for  fifteen  months.    On  January  i,  1910, 
he  removed  to  Lehigh  and  there  accepted  the  position  as  cashier  and 
general  manager  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  that  city,  also  serving 
on  the  board  of  directors,  and  has  since  devoted  his  attention  to  the 
interests  of  the  bank.     Besides  his  interest  in  the  bank  he  is  engaged 
in  stock-raising,   specializing   in   pure-bred   Aberdeen   Angus  cattle. 
The  undertaking  is  conducted  on  a  rented   farm,   four  miles   from 
Lehigh  in  Burnside  township,  and  our  subject  is  the  manager. 

Mr.  ^^'oodard  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nora  B.  Tennant, 
a  native  of  Burnside  township  and  a  daughter  of  J.  W.  and  Jane 
Tennant.  both  of  whom  are  residents  of  Burnside.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
\\'oodar(l  two  children  have  been  born,  Irene  and  Sibyl,  both  attend- 
ing public  school.  Mr.  Woodard  belongs  to  the  republican  party  and 
has  fraternal  relations  with  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Lehigh,  of  which 
he  is  senior  warden.  He  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  representative 
men  of  Webster  county  and  a  man  who  by  strict  integrity  in  business 
matters  has  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  his  friends  and 
associates. 


FRANK  ERNEST  PRUSI.\. 

A  hi.story  of  commercial  development  and  progress  in  Fort  Dodge 
would  be  incomplete  were  there  failure  to  make  reference  to  the 
Prusia  Hardware  Company,  which  was  established  in  1855  and  of 
wiiich  Frank  Ernest  Prusia  is  the  secretary.  This  is  one  of  the  oldest 
business  enterprises  of  the  city  and  at  its  head  are  men — father  and 


12  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

son — who  figure  prominently  and  honorably  as  factors  in  the  pros- 
perity of  the  city.  Frank  E.  Prusia  was  born  in  Fort  Dodge,  April 
9,  1871,  his  parents  being  Emanuel  and  Alary  (Cohvell)  Prusia,  the 
former  a  native  of  Michigan  and  the  latter  of  Maine.  The  paternal 
grandfather  became  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Michigan  and  during  the 
gold  excitement  in  California  he  went  to  the  Pacific  coast.  He  died 
in  middle  life,  while  his  wife,  Mrs.  Mary  Prusia,  passed  away  later. 
After  losing  her  first  husband  she  became  the  wife  of  George  Klinedob. 
The  only  son  of  her  first  marriage  is  Emanuel  E.  Prusia.  who  was 
reared  in  Michigan  and,  when  fourteen  years  old,  came  to  Iowa-. 
F'or  some  time  he  was  employed  in  the  postoffice  in  Des  Moines  and 
he  afterward  became  an  early  settler  of  Fort  Dodge,  where  in  18^5 
he  established  the  hardware  business  that  is  now  one  of  the  chief 
commercial  enterprises  of  the  city.  He  conducted  this  store  under 
the  name  of  the  Prusia  Hardware  Company,  of  which  he  is  still  the 
president.  The  firm  was  incorporated  in  1891,  and  their  salesroom 
was  originally  located  west  of  the  Duncombe  Hotel  but  for  many 
years  has  been  at  Xo.  608  Central  avenue.  Honored  and  respected 
by  all,  there  is  no  man  in  Fort  Dodge  who  occupies  a  more  prominent 
position  in  commercial  and  financial  circles  than  does  Emanuel  E. 
Prusia,  not  only  by  reason  of  the  success  that  he  has  achieved  but 
also  owing  to  the  straightforward  business  policies  that  he  has  ever 
followed.  He  wedded  Mary  Colweil.  a  daughter  of  Charles  and 
Delia  Colweil,  who  were  natives  of  Maine.  Her  father  was  a  farmer 
by  occupation  and  became  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Douglas  town- 
ship, Webster  county.  Iowa,  where  he  died  when  well  advanced  in 
years.  His  wife  passed  away  in  Furt  Dodge.  They  had  a  large 
family  including  George,  Mary,  Charles,  Frank,  Damie,  Jerome. 
Fred  and  Sarah.  Their  daughter,  Mary,  who  l)ecame  the  wife  of 
Emanuel  E.  Prusia,  passed  away  in  1886,  at  the  age  of  forty-one 
years.  She  was  a  consistent  and  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist 
church,  to  which  ]\lr.  Prusia  also  ])elongs.  iMnanuel  F.  Prusia  has 
membership  relations  with  the  Odd  Fellows  society.  In  his  fam- 
ily were  three  children,  but  Frank  E.  is  the  only  one  living.  The 
second  son.  Leon,  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  vears  and  Earle  died 
in  infancy. 

Frank  Ernest  Prusia  was  reared  in  Fort  Dodge  and  attended  the 
public  schools,  while  later  he  pursued  a  cour^.e  of  studies  in  Cornell 
College  at  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa.  Throughout  his  entire  business 
career  he  has  been  connected  with  his  father's  establishment,  first  as 
a  clerk  in  the  store,  while  later  he  was  admitted  to  a  partnership. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  13 

The  following  year  he  became  secretary  of  the  company,  which  was 
incorporated  to  conduct  a  business  that  had  grown  from  a  small 
beginning  to  extaisive  proportions.  Their  trade  is  large  and  the 
success  of  the  institution  is  due  to  the  progressive,  modern  methods 
of  the  owners.  They  handle  all  kinds  of  shelf  and  heavy  hardware, 
stoves,  furnaces  and  tinware  and.  iia\e  a  business  that  has  grown 
year  by  year  and  is  now  extensive. 

On  the  30th  of  October,  1895,  Frank  E.  Prusia  was  married  to 
Miss  Sadie  Thompson,  a  daughter  of  John  Thompson.  She  was 
born  in  Watsunville,  California,  and  it  was  there  that  she  was  mar- 
ried. Her  parents  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  died  in  W'atsom'ille. 
They  had  eleven  children  who  reached  adult  age,  Julia,  Peter.  Lizzie, 
Joseph,  John,  Edward,  Maggie,  Chris,  Mary,  Katie  and  Sadie.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Prusia  hold  membership  in  the  Sacred  Heart  Catholic  church. 
They  are  well  known  in  Fort  Dodge,  where  they  have  long  resided, 
and  their  many  friends  include  the  best  residents  of  the  city,  indi- 
cating that  their  social  and  other  qualities  are  such  as  win  them  high 
regard  and  popularity. 


WTLLL^M  R.  TURNER.  M.  D. 


One  of  the  most  promising  young  physicians  in  Badger,  Iowa,  is 
Dr.  William  R.  Turner,  who  since  1909  has  been  connected  with  the 
general  practice  of  medicine  in  that  community  and  has  met  with 
gratifying  success.  He  was  born  in  Des  Moines  on  September  3,  1S84, 
and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Sarah  (Allen)  Turner,  the  former  a 
native  of  Scotland  and  the  latter  of  Des  Mwines.  His  father  came 
to  America  when  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  making  the  journey  with 
his  jiarents.  He  liad  talent  for  invention  and  great  mechanical  dex- 
terity. The  Jewett  typewriter  and  a  machine  for  making  barbed 
wire  are  among  the  products  of  his  labors.  He  followed  the  trade 
of  a  machinist  and  draftsman  for  a  number  of  years  and  is  now  living 
retired  in  Des  ]\Ioines.  having  reached  the  age  of  fifty-four  vcars. 
His  wife  is  fifty-three  years  of  age. 

William  R.  Turner  was  reared  at  iiome  ;aid  was  educated  in  tlie 
public  schools  of  Des  Moines.  Sul)sei|uent  to  com])]eting  tiie  usual 
course  of  studies  he  entered  his  fatlier's  macJiine  shop  and  following 
a  few  years  of  activity  there  he  enrolled  in  Drake  University.     .After 


14  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

some  preparatory  work  in  tliat  institution  he  took  up  the  study  of 
medicine,  graduating  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  1908.  In  the 
following  year  he  came  to  Badger  and  commenced  the  general  prac- 
tice of  medicine.  He  is  the  only  doctor  in  the  village  and  has  built 
up  during  the  three  years  of  his  residence  here  a  reputation  as  a 
skillful,  efficient  and  thoroughly  capable  physician.  He  is  progressive 
and  enterprising  I^ut  never  radical,  a  close  and  earnest  student,  and 
a  practical  doctor  whose  work  up  to  the  present  time  is  a  strong 
indication  of  greater  success  in  the  future. 

In  July.  1906,  Dr.  Turner  was  united  in  marriage  to  Aliss  Jessie 
E.  Grigsby.  a  daughter  of  Luther  and  Annette  (Sutton)  Grigsby, 
the  former  a  native  of  Kansas  and  the  latter  of  Des  Moines.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Turner  had  one  child,  Jessie  E.,  who  died  in  November,  1907. 

The  subject  of  th?s  review  is  prominent  in  many  capacities.  He 
owns  his  office  and  residence  on  the  main  street  of  the  town  and 
serves  as  health  officer,  doing  able  and  efficient  work  in  that  position. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Webster  County  and  the  State  Medical  Socie- 
ties and  is  also  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  Improved  Order  of  Red- 
men.  He  is  a  democrat  and  belongs  to  the  English  Lutheran  church. 
He  has  mastered  his  profession  in  all  its  details  and  keeps  in  touch 
w  ith  the  progress  made  in  medical  science  by  constant  reading.  He 
adds  to  his  scientific  knowledge  the  qualities  of  integrity  and  con- 
scientiousness and  is  therefore  well  liked  and  prosperous. 


M.   X.  COREY 


M.  X.  Corey,  who  is  owner  and  manager  of  the  Morning  Star 
Mill  at  I.chigh,  was  horn  in  I'ort  Dodge.  Iowa.  March  22,  1880.  His 
father.  H.  A.  Corey,  was  a  native  of  Illinois,  and  later  removed  to 
I'Ort  Dodge,  where  he  was  engaged  in  mining,  and  in  1882  he  came 
to  Lehigh,  where  he  operated  a  coal  mine  for  several  years.  About 
1891  he  engaged  in  the  dry-goods  and  shoe  business  in  this  city  and 
in  the  fall  of  1900  built  the  Morning  Star  Mill,  which  he  owned  and 
operated  until  1908,  when  M,  X'^.  Corey,  our  subject,  became  the 
owner.  He  was  also  interested  in  the  Corey  Pressed  Brick  Plant, 
together  with  his  brollicrs,  1-rank,  Silas  and  George  Corey,  being 
connected  with  that  i)lant  for  about  three  years.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  He  also  erected 
the  store  building  which  is  occupied  by  Craft  &  Son.     .\f   Fort 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  15 

Dodge.  Iowa,  Mr.  Corey  was  marrieil  to  Miss  Cora  E.  Deering.  a 
native  of  Illinois,  and  to  this  union  was  born  one  son,  M.  N.,  of 
this  review.  H.  A.  Corey  passed  away  in  May^  1908,  at  his  home 
in  Lehigh,  Iowa,  and  his  \\-ife  now  resides  at  Long  Beach,  Cali- 
fornia. 

M.  X.  Corey  attended  the  puhlic  schools  of  Lehigh  and  later  was  a 
student  at  Drake  Lnixersity  in  Des  Moines.  Ever  since  the  starting 
of  the  mill  at  Lehigh  he  has  been  associated  with  the  work  of  the 
same  and  in  May,  1908,  purchased  the  plant  and  has  since  operated 
it.  He  has  made  many  improvements  on  the  same  and  now  lias  a 
private  electrical  plant,  which  supplies  both  his  mill  and  residence. 
He  keeps  the  plant  running  steadily  as  a  custom-exchange  mill  and 
the  output  is  sold  mostly  in  the  neighboring  districts.  Mr.  Corey  is 
carrying  on  an  extensive  business  and  does  general  milling.  He  also 
owns  a  beautiful  home  here,  which  lie  erected  in  1909. 

Mr.  Corey  married  Miss  Mildred  Dugger,  who  is  the  daughter  of 
T.  T.  Dugger.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Corey  has  been  born  a  son,  Thomas 
Henry.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Corey  is  a  republican,  and  fra- 
ternal Iv  he  is  a  member  of  the  ^lodern  Woodmen  of  America,  lie- 
longing  to  that  lodge  at  Lehigh.  He  is  a  man  of  marked  enterprise, 
positive  character  and  strict  integrity,  and  he  has  ever  been  greatly 
interested  in  the  growth  and  prosperity  of  his  community.  His  life 
is  exemplary  in  many  respects  and  he  has  the  esteem  of  all  his  friends 
and  the  confidence  of  those  who  have  had  business  relations  w  ith  him. 


FREDERICK  RUEBEL. 


Frederick  Ruebel  is  a  retired  farmer  of  Webster  county,  where  for 
forty  years  he  cultivated  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  meet- 
ing with  well  deserved  success  in  his  agricultural  activities.  He  is 
also  a  veteran  of  the  Ci\'il  war.  .Mr.  Kucbel  was  iKjrn  in  .\'e\\  N  ork 
on  April  i,  1838,  and  is  a  son  of  I'hilli])  and  Margaret  (Schopfer) 
Ruebel,  natives  of  Germany.  His  father  came  to  America  at  an 
early  date  and  located  in  Xew  York,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade 
of  shoeniaking  for  several  years.  Eventually,  however,  he  took  up 
farming,  following  this  occupation  for  some  time  in  New  York,  be- 
fore he  removed  to  Cedar  b'alls,  Iowa.  Here  he  worked  at  his 
trade  for  some  time,  coming  in  1876,  to  Calhoun  county,  Iowa, 
where  he  purchased  and  improved  a  one  hundred  and  sixty-acre 


16  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

tract  of  land,  which  he  operated  until  1885,  when  he  retired  from 
active  life  and  moved  to  Manson,  this  state,  where  he  made  his 
home  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  April,  1893.  He  had 
long  survived  his  wife,  who  died  in  i860. 

Frederick  Ruebel  was  reared  at  home  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  New  York.  After  he  laid  aside  his  books  he  worked 
for  a  short  time  by  the  month  as  a  farm  laborer,  being  thus  en- 
gaged at  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  He  then  en- 
listed in  Company  K,  F^ifth  New  York  Heavy  Artillery,  in  March, 
1864,  and  served  for  one  year,  receiving  his  honorable  discharge  at 
the  close  of  hostilities.  He  was  mustered  out  in  August,  1865,  and 
returned  immediately  to  New  York,  where  after  a  short  time  dur- 
ing which  he  worked  as  a  laborer,  he  rented  land  and  operated  it 
for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  went  to  Humboldt, 
Iowa,  but  after  one  year's  residence  in  this  city  moved  to  Webster 
county,  settling  in  this  section  in  April,  1869.  Here  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land  in  Johnson  township  and  began  its  improvement 
and  cultivation.  He  was  successful  in  his  undertaking  owing  to  his 
familiarity  with  and  experience  in  agricultural  details,  which  he  had 
gained  as  farm  hand.  He  added  to  his  holdings  from  time  to  time 
and  his  farm  now  comprises  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  fertile 
antl  jiriKluctive  land.  He  gave  his  attention  tn  its  operation  until 
the  spring  of  1909.  when  he  retired  from  active  life  and  moved  to 
Barnum,  where  he  jjurchased  a  comfortable  and  attractive  Imme,  in 
which  he  has  resided  since  that  time. 

On  January  i,  1867,  -Mr.  Ruebel  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Adaline  Miller,  a  daughter  of  Michael  and  .Xdaline  Miller,  nalix'es  of 
Ciermany.  Mrs.  Ruebel's  father  came  to  America  at  an  early  date 
and  located  in  New  York,  where  he  followed  farming  until  his  death 
which  ctcurred  in  1877.  His  wife  survived  him  many  years,  passing 
away  in  1897.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ruebel  have  been  Ixirn  two  chil- 
dren :  William  I*".,  who  is  a  w  ell  kn(iwn  farmer  of  Johnson  town- 
ship; and  Arthur  P..  manager  of  the  I'armers  F.levalnr  Company 
of  Barnum. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Ruebel  is  a  consistent  republican  and  is 
intelligently  interested  in  public  affairs.  He  belongs  to  the  German 
Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Com- 
pany and  in  the  Barnum  Telephone  Company  and  has  served  for 
seventeen  years  as  treasurer  of  Johnson  township.  He  has  held  the 
office  of  trustee  and  is  at  the  present  time  a  member  of  the  town 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  17 

council,  making  his  retired  life  as  vital  a  force  in  local  progress  and 
growth,  as  his  years  actively  spent  in  agricultural  life. 


JAMES  D.  LOWRY,  M.  D. 

Dr.  James  D.  Lowry,  a  well  known  physician  and  surgeon  of 
Fort  Dodge,  has  here  followed  his  profession  for  the  past  eleven 
years  and  has  enjoyed  a  steadily  growing  and  gratifying  practice. 
He  was  born  in  this  city  and  is  a  son  of  Edward  and  Ellen  (Breen) 
Lowry,  natives  of  County  Tipperary,  Ireland.  His  paternal  grand- 
parents, John  and  Catharine  (Dunn)  Lowry,  died  on  the  Emerald 
isle  when  well  advanced  in  years.  Their  children  were,  Thomas, 
Christopher,  James,  Joseph,  Edward,  Elizabeth,  Catharine  and  Mary. 

Edward  Lowry,  the  father  of  Dr.  James  D.  Lowry,  was  reared 
in  his  native  country  and  there  remained  until  1856,  when  he  crossed 
the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States.  In  1869  he  came  to  Iowa,  settled 
in  Fort  Dodge  and  began  working  at  railroading.  His  demise,  here 
occurred  in  1897,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  sixty-three  years. 
His  wife  was  calletl  to  her  final  rest  in  the  year  1878.  Both  were 
devout  communicants  of  the  Catholic  church.  They  were  the  parents 
of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  namely :  Catharine, 
who  is  a  resident  of  Fort  Dodge;  John  B.,  also  living  in  Fort  Dodge; 
Joseph  A.,  of  Des  Moines;  James  D.,  of  this  review;  Thomas  F. ; 
and  Edward  V.,  deceased. 

James  D.  Lowry  was  reared  in  Fort  Dodge  and  attended  the 
parochial  and  public  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education, 
completing  the  high-school  course  in  1896.  Having  determined  upon 
the  practice  of  medicine  as  a  life  work,  he  entered  the  college  of 
medicine  of  the  State  L'niversity  of  Iowa,  which  institution  con- 
ferred upon  him  the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  190 1.  Opening  an  office  in 
Fort  Dodge  soon  afterward,  he  has  here  practiced  continuously  since 
and  has  had  well  merited  success  as  a  representative  of  the  medical 
profession.  He  belongs  to  the  Webster  County  Medical  Society,  the 
Iowa  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American  Medical  Association 
and  thus  keeps  in  close  touch  with  the  most  advanced  methods  of  the 
fraternity. 

Politically  Dr.  Lowry  is  a  republican,  believing  firmly  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  party.  He  was  elected  to  the  office  of  county  coroner 
in  1906  and  has  been  twice  reelected  since  that  time.  Fraternally 
he  is  identiiied  with  the  following  organizations:     Fort  Dodge  Coun- 


18  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

cil,  No.  613,  Knights  of  Columbus;  the  CathoHc  Order  of  Foresters; 
the  Woodmen  of  the  World;  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of 
Elks;  and  the  Eagles.  He  is  a  devoted  communicant  of  the  Catholic 
church  and  a  pcipuhir  member  i>i  the  Country  Club  of  Fort  Dodge. 
His  residence  is  at  No.  199  North  First  street,  and  in  both  profes- 
sional and  social  circles  of  his  native  city  he  is  well  known  and  highly 
esteemed. 


JONATHAN  PRENTISS  DOLLIVER. 

Politician-ship  develops  mto  statesmanship  along  readilv  discern- 
ible lines.  Honor  and  incorruptible  integrity  are  fundamental  forces 
in  the  evolution  and  are  aided  by  a  broad,  cultured  liberal  mind,  dis- 
cernment, forcefulness,  decisiveness  and  indefatigable  energy.  In- 
dividual character  has  much  to  do  with  the  change  and  no  politician 
can  aspire  to  enter  into  that  higher  rank  of  men  of  nation-wide  repu- 
tation and  usefulness,  who  is  not,  first  of  all,  an  honest  man.  These 
are  standards  of  statesmanship  and  judged  by  them  the  late  Senator 
Jonathan  P.  Dolliver,  who  passed  to  his  final  rest  on  October  15,  1910, 
orator,  lawyer,  representative  and  United  States  senator  from  Iowa, 
stands  forth  in  exalted  prominence.  His  death  was  a  distinct  loss  to 
the  .\merican  nation  and  to  its  social,  economic  and  ix)litical  life. 

Senator  Dolliver  was  born  near  Kingwood,  Preston  county,  Vir- 
ginia, in  the  section  of  that  state  which  is  now  \\'est  Virginia,  Febru- 
ary 6,  1858.  His  father,  James  J.  Dolliver,  was  one  of  the  dis- 
tinguished men  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ministry  and  was  an  active 
factor  in  the  development  of  that  church.  He  was  a  man  of  ability 
along  religious  lines,  guided  unerringly  by  a  humane  and  human  spirit, 
which  won  him  the  confidence  and  affection  of  his  parishioners.  He 
was  married  in  1855  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Robert 
Brown,  a  native  of  Preston  county,  West  Virginia.  Five  children 
were  born  to  this  union:  Robert  H.,  who  has  followed  in  his 
father's  footsteps  in  a  useful  and  distinguished  career  as  a  Methodist 
minister;  Jonathan  P.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Victor  B.,  born  in 
1 861,  who  followed  the  profession  of  law  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  until 
his  death;  Margaret  Gay;  and  Mary  H.,  the  wife  of  E.  R.  Graham, 
of  Evanston,  Illinois. 

Jonathan  P.  Dolliver  was  educated  in  public  schools  in  \\'est  Vir- 
ginia and  with  his  brother  Robert  entered  the  University  of  W'est 
Virginia,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1875.  He  made  wise  use 
of  every  educational  opportunity  and  when  he  had.  concluded  his  col- 


'    /c^ 


t-: 


■•'d»  ) 


d^lHyOO^U^        ^  ■        ^^ 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  '      19 

lege  career  engaged  in  teaching  school.  He  followed  this  occupation 
for  one  year  in  Sandwich,  Illinois,  preliminary  to  a  legal  career.  The 
profession  of  law  had  always  attracted  him.  In  pursuance  of  his 
ambition  he  spent  the  next  year  in  the  offices  of  his  uncle,  John  J. 
Brown,  a  prominent  attorney  in  Morganstown,  and  laid  the  founda- 
tion at  this  time  of  an  eminent  career.  He  interrupted  his  studies  for 
one  year  to  return  to  Sandwich,  Illinois,  where  he  accepted  the  posi- 
tion as  principal  of  the  high  school.  In  1878  he  resumed  his  legal 
studies  and  with  his  brother,  Robert  H.  Dolliver,  invested  all 
his  savings  in  law  books.  They  eventually  came  to  Fort 
Dodge,  Iowa,  where  they  opened  a  law  office.  The  story  of  their 
early  career  is  the  usual  record  of  struggle  every  young  lawyer 
experiences.  Young  and  practically  unknown,  they  had  few  assets  be- 
yond youthful  energy  and  undaunted  hope.  Time,  however,  and  suc- 
cess after  success  gradually  brought  them  a  clientage.  The  future 
senator  early  in  his  career  showed  decided  talent  and  understanding 
of  situations  and  questions  of  a  public  nature  and  gained  a  reputation 
which  spread  throughout  the  surrounding  counties  for  his  brilliant 
oratory.  He  was  frequently  called  upon  to  make  public  addresses 
and  his  work  in  the  lecture  field  at  this  period  of  his  life  is  even  flow 
remembered.  \Miat  reputation  he  had  was  entirely  local,  howe\er, 
and  limited  by  the  boundaries  of  his  adopted  state.  His  political  ca- 
reer when  it  began  was  meteoric.  He  was  a  comparativeh'  unknown 
lawyer,  with  a  local  reputation  for  oratory  and  with  no  important 
connection  witli  republican  politics  in  the  state-  In  1884,  however, 
he  was  invited  to  take  the  temporary  chairmanship  of  the  republican 
state  convention,  held  at  Des  Moines,  and  on  that  occasion  made  a 
speech.  The  state  of  Iowa  rang  with  his  words  and  the  nation 
echoed  with  their  broad  significance.  Mr.  Dolliver  found  himself 
famous.  He  at  once  became  a  man  of  national  prominence.  His 
brilliant  mind  was  recognized  by  republican  leaders  and  his  talents 
were  hailed  as  national  assets  in  the  republican  campaign.  He  was 
called  east  and  took  a  conspicuously  successful  part  in  the  memoral)le 
campaign  which  nominated  James  G.  Blaine  as  the  republican  can- 
didate for  the  presidency  of  the  United  States.  Senator  Dolliver 
accomplished  effective  work  in  the  republican  cause  by  his  inspiring 
and  convincing  addresses,  in  which  he  analyzed  the  situation  in  a 
wonderfully  clear  manner.  In  every  ensuing  campaign  Senator 
Dolliver  assisted  his  party  and  was  always  on  hand  when  help  was 
needed  in  an  emergency.  His  career  in  the  United  States  congress 
began  in   1888.     His  nomination  as  republican  representative  came 


22  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

unsolicited,  it  may  be  said,  as  a  gift  of  the  people  of  Iowa  to  a  well 
beloved  citizen.  In  1886  Senator  Dolliver's  friends  in  the  tenth 
Iowa  congressional  district  tendered  him  the  republican  nomination 
for  congressman.  A  prominent  figure  connected  with  this  event  was 
Cyrus  C.  Carpenter,  of  Fort  Dodge,  fomier  governor  of  Iowa  and 
ex-congressman  from  the  tenth  district.  Senator  Dolliver,  however, 
was  defeated  by  the  election  of  A.  J.  Holmes,  of  Boone  county, 
and  the  event  marked  a  crucial  period  in  his  public  life.  Two  years 
later  he  was  unanimously  nominated  in  the  republican  convention 
held  at  Webster  City  and  was  elected  by  a  large  majority  over  his 
nearest  rival.  Never  since  that  time  did  he  meet  setbacks 
in  his  political  career.  He  was  renominated  by  acclamation  and 
elected  to  the  United  States  house  of  representatives  every  year 
up  to  and  including  1900. 

Senator  Dolliver's  activities  in  public  life  were  distinguished  by 
a  broad  and  liberal  knowledge  along  social,  economic  and  politi- 
cal lines.  His  character  molded  his  political  destiny  to  final 
triumphant  success.  He  had  a  record  of  never  giving  his  vote 
to  an  unworthy  or  useless  cause  and  his  career  in  its  entirety  was 
marked  by  intelligent  labor  in  the  promotion  of  the  welfare  of 
state  and  nation.  His  identification  with  the  United  States  senate 
began  in  1900.  On  July  14,  of  that  year,  Senator  John  H.  Geer 
passed  away  and  his  death  left  a  vacancy  in  the  upper  house  of  con- 
gress. Senator  Dolliver  seemed  the  logical  man  for  the  office.  His 
friends  rallied  to  his  cause  and  on  August  22,  1900,  Governor  Shaw 
appointed  him  United  States  senator  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the 
death  of  Senator  Geer.  The  favor  and  approval  with  which  this  ap- 
pointment was  received  b)^  the  i)eople  of  Iowa  was  a  surprise  even  to 
Senator  Dolliver's  most  intimate  friends  and  showed  the  strength  of 
his  political  following  in  an  adequate  and  gratifying  manner.  When 
the  unexpired  term  was  completed  and  Senator  Dolliver  came  up  for 
election  there  was  no  opposition  to  his  candidacy.  He  was  elected 
unanimously  by  both  houses  of  the  legislature  in  1902  and  reelected 
by  acclamation  in  1908.  He  served  in  the  United  States  senate  with 
conspicuous  ability,  until  his  death,  in  19 10,  giving  his  influence  to 
that  progressive  movement  in  his  party  inaugurated  to  better  existing 
conditions  in  government  and  nation-  It  was  well  known  to  every 
prominent  jwlitical  leader  in  1900,  but  perhaps  not  to  the  general  pub 
lie.  that  Senator  Dolliver  was  strongly  urged  to  become  a  candidate 
for  vice  president  on  the  ticket  with  AIcKinley  in  1900.  In  a  memo- 
rial address  Hon.  Lafayette  Young,  of  Iowa,  speaking  of  this,  said: 
"After  Dolliver  had  served  in  the  house  and  his  reputation  had  lie- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  23 

come  national  he  was  frequently  mentioned  for  the  office  of  vice  pres- 
ident, and  some  months  before  his  death  there  had  been  a  conspicuous 
expression  that  he  would  some  time  be  president.  Just  before  the 
convening  of  the  republican  national  convention  held  in  Philadelphia 
in  1900  a  great  western  newspaper  suggested  Senator  Dolliver  tor 
vice  president.  The  movement  grew  to  be  one  of  importance.  1  was 
a  delegate  to  that  convention  and  received  a  telegram  from  my  asso- 
ciate delegates,  already  at  Philadelphia,  to  come  on  at  once,  prepared 
to  help  the  Dolliver  movement  and  to  prepare  a  speech  to  be  used  in 
placing  him  before  the  convention.  I  proceeded  at  once  to  Philadel- 
phia and  our  political  activities  began.  We  opened  headquarters. 
We  secureil  banners  and  a  band  of  music.  Then  we  began  to  inquire 
in  relation  to  our  candidate.  We  discovered  that  he  was  stopping 
with  friends  in  a  Philadelphia  suburb  and  that  he  was  much  uncon- 
cerned in  regard  to  the  suggestion  of  his  name.  He  was  urged,  and 
yet  his  enthusiasm  did  not  grow.  He  was  asked  to  go  before  the 
Iowa  delegation  and  finally  did  so,  but  with  half -unconcerned  and 
lukewarm  spirit.  The  Dollixer  enthusiasm  had  not  reached  Dolliver; 
but  his  friends  continued  their  campaign  in  his  behalf.  Congres- 
sional associates  visited  headquarters  and  urged  the  movement  for- 
ward; but  the  Senator  said  that  he  could  not  afford  to  be  vice  presi- 
dent: that  the  social  requirements  were  too  many.  The  only  other 
name  mentioned  for  vice  president  was  that  of  Colonel  Roosevelt. 
Colonel  Roosevelt's  friends  were  urging  him  not  to  be  a  candidate 
and  not  to  accept  the  place,  giving  as  a  reason  that  four  years  later  they 
hoped  to  nominate  him  for  president.  This,  then,  was  the  situation : 
Senator  Dolliver's  friends  were  urging  him  to  accept  the  vice  presi- 
dential nomination,  regardless  of  his  future,  and  Colonel  Roosevelt's 
friends  were  determined  that  he  should  not  accept,  having  in  mind  his 
future.  1  have  always  believed  that  if  Colonel  Roosevelt  had  not  con- 
sented to  accept  the  nomination  Senator  Dolliver  would  have  been  the 
nominee,  and  thus  the  whole  course  of  history  might  have  been 
changed.  The  negotiations  and  consultations  among  party  leaders 
were  numerous.  Senators  Piatt,  of  New  York,  and  Quay,  of  Penn- 
svlvania.  then  conspicuous  in  party  management,  were  anxious  for  the 
nomination  of  Colonel  Roosevelt,  to  make  what  they  called  a  'well- 
balanced  ticket,'  meaning  that  men  of  dififerent  types  should  be  chosen 
for  the  two  great  offices;  but  these  party  leaders  were  unable  to  secure 
Colonel  Roosevelt's  consent.  A  little  later  in  the  proceedings  these 
two  senators,  now  dead,  left  the  field,  placing  everything  in  charge  of 
Senator  Mark  Hanna.  Senator  TIanna  was  chairman  of  the  repub- 
lican national  committee.      With  his  usual  energy  he  undertook  to 


24  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

ascertain  the  situation.  It  is  doubtlessly  true  that  he  knew  the  situa- 
tion. There  had  been  so  much  in  the  way  of  diplomacy  between  the 
camps  that  the  situation  was  generally  known  to  active  party  men. 
The  first  thing  Senator  Hanna  did  was  to  call  upon  Senator  Dolliver 
and  his  friends.  Learning  that  the  Senator  did  not  have  his  heart 
in  the  cause,  he  asked  the  Senator  and  myself  to  go  with  him  to  call 
upon  Colonel  Roosevelt  for  the  purpose  of  securing  an  acceptance  or 
an  unequivocal  refusal.  Colonel  Roosevelt  had  all  the  time  refused 
to  say  that  he  would  not  accept  the  nomination  for  vice  president,  re- 
fusing to  assume  that  the  office  was  beneath  him  for  the  reason  that 
he  regarded  it  as  a  great  office.  We  called  upon  Colonel  Roose\elt. 
Senator  Hanna  asked  him,  'Colonel  Roosevelt,  will  you  accept  the 
nomination  for  \ice  president ?  '  As  I  remember  it,  tlie  Colonel  re- 
sponded, T  will,  at  your  hands  and  at  the  hands  of  the  entire  republi- 
can party.'  Then  Senator  Dolliver  turned  and  with  a  smile  said. 
'It  is  all  over.  My  name  shall  not  be  used.'  Senator  Hanna  asked 
Colonel  Roosevelt  who  would  present  his  name.  The  Colonel  turned 
to  Senator  Dolliver  and  Senator  Dolliver  turned  to  me,  remarking  that 
'You  can  just  change  your  speech  a  little  and  nominate  the  Colonel' 
Senator  Hanna  then,  turning  to  me,  said,  'It  is  up  to  you,  young  man." 
My  speech  nominating  Dolliver  had  already  gone  out  to  the  Press 
Association  and  had  to  be  suppressed  by  wire.  This  is  the  story  of 
the  vice  presidency  at  Philadelphia,  briefly  told." 

One  of  the  best  estimates  of  the  work  and  character  of  Senator 
Dolliver  is  found  in  Munsey's  Magazine  of  September,  191 2,  and 
reads  as  follows  : 

"It  does  injustice  to  none  to  say  that  there  was  but  one  Dolliver 
in  the  generation  in  which  he  made  his  record  of  public  service. 
When  he  died,  he  was  the  acknowledged  leader  of  what  was  then 
known  as  'insurgency'  within  the  republican  party. 

"The  great  things  of  which  Dolliver  was  so  large  a  part  when 
they  were  yet  small  have  moved  on  and  on.  We  have  got  far  enough 
away  from  their  beginnings  to  make  it  hard  to  realize  what  a  heroic 
figure  he  was,  as  he  stood  in  the  senatorial  forum  but  three  short 
years  ago,  defying  the  agents  of  privilege  and  'regularity,'  warning 
them  that  they  had  entered  upon  a  course  in  which  the  nation  could 
not  and  would  not  follow  them. 

"For  his  answer,  he  was  read  out  of  the  party  that  he  had  served 
and  honored  from  boyhood;  but  that  was  the  least  of  his  concerns. 
He  knew  that  the  vast  majority  of  the  party  were  with  him  in  senti- 
ment and  sympathy;  he  had  confidence  that  in  due  time  that  fact 
would  declare  itself,  and  he  would  be  vindicated. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  25 

"It  was  not  the  passion  of  a  moment  that  made  DolHver  defy  and 
flaunt  the  ruling  powers  of  his  party.  He  had  been  slow  to  believe 
that  influences  of  the  most  reprehensible  sort  had  secured  a  grip 
upon  it  that  menaced  the  very  spirit  of  popular  institutions.  He 
served  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  in  congress,  a  devoted  partv 
man,  before  he  became  convinced  that  the  destinies  of  the  nation 
could  possibly  be  insecure  in  the  control  of  his  party.  He  found, 
on  occasion,  it  is  true,  that  the  men  who  represented  his  party's 
leadership  in  legislation  were  frequently  unresponsive  when  he  urged 
upon  them  policies  that  he  confidently  believed  to  be  in  the  interest 
of  the  whole  country;  but  still  he  hesitated  to  believe  that  his  party, 
as  such,  had  fallen  into  the  control  of  bad  influences,  and  could  no 
longer  be  trusted. 

"The  first  awakening  came  to  him  in  1906,  when  he  assumed 
congressional  leadership  of  the  movement  for  strengthening  the  inter- 
state commerce  laws.  He  found  the  powers  of  party,  or  regularity, 
of  capitalized  privilege,  not  only  in  his  own  party,  but  in  the  opposi- 
tion, hostile  to  that  movement.  He  began  to  wonder,  to  surmise,  to 
contemplate  the  possibilities  involved  in  such  a  situation;  but,  by  dint 
of  a  magnificent  fight,  the  needed  legislation  was  at  last  passed,  and 
to  Dolliver  it  seemed  for  the  moment  a  vindication  of  his  theory 
that  his  own  party  could  finally  be  trusted  to  meet  any  emergency  of 
public  service. 

"Following  closely  upon  this  came  the  experience  of  the  tariff 
session  of  1909.  Dolliver  believed  in  a  different  tariff  program  than 
that  which  the  party  leaders  had  adopted.  He  was  sincere,  and 
believed  that  his  was  the  only  program  that  any  sincere  man  could 
accept.  He  could  not,  this  time,  bring  the  ruling  coterie  to  accept  his 
views,  ^^'eek  after  week,  month  after  month  of  that  session,  Dol- 
liver and  the  little  host  that  gathered  at  his  back,  fought  for  con- 
cession, and  gained  none. 

"In  the  end  they  were  steam-rolled  out  of  the  fight,  and  the  law 
was  passed  as  the  bosses  wanted  it.  Then  Dolliver  realized,  as  he 
had  never  done  before,  that  there  was  serious  doubt  whether  his 
party  could  be  trusted.  He  became  frankly,  openly  insurgent  against 
the  whole  scheme  of  things,  against  the  entire  existing  regime  of 
the  party's  government. 

"Patronage  was  withdrawn,  social  ostracism  was  imposed,  politi- 
cal destruction  was  menaced;  but  Dolliver  would  not  turn  back.  He 
had  at  last  formed  his  purpose.  The  party  to  which  he  had  given 
his  career  and  his  talents  must  be  reformed — from  within. 

"That  was  the  message  he  gave  the  country  in  his  last  public 


26  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

utterances.  He  used  all  he  possessed  of  eloquence,  of  sarcasm,  invec- 
tive, irony,  appeal,  to  win  a  following  among  the  people  in  congress 
and  out,  who  could  see  as  plainly  as  he  could.  He  came  up  to  leader- 
ship almost  in  a  day.  Other  men  had  been  plodding  that  same  path 
for  years  before  he  had  entered  upon  it ;  but  when  he  became  con- 
vinced that  his  duty  carried  him  along  with  them,  he  went  to  the 
head  of  the  line.  He  was  the  great  popular  figure,  the  favored  orator, 
the  Mirabeau  of  the  insurgent  movement. 

"  'Here  is  our  real  leader,"  the  country  first  vaguely  felt,  then 
began  to  say  aloud. 

"It  turned  to  him  as  the  man  who  could  if  that  lay  in  any  man's 
power,  save  the  republican  party  and  bring  it  back  to  the  higher  ideals 
of  its  founders.  He  was  strong  with  party  men,  because  he  had 
always  been  the  most  loyal  of  them  all.  They  knew  that  Dolliver 
would  go  as  far  as  any  to  save  the  party;  but  they  knew,  too,  that 
he  wanted  to  save  it  for  service  to  the  nation,  not  as  a  monument 
of  longevity  in  senility.     They  believed  in  him. 

"That  is  why  Dolliver,  had  he  li\ed,  would  have  been  the  leader 
He  occupied  the  great,  big  place  in  the  popular  imagination.  The 
people  lo\ed  him,  believed  in  him,  and  rose  to  those  magnificent 
appeals  that  none  so  well  as  he  could  formulate  and  deliver. 

"Had  he  lived,  he  would,  in  all  human  probal)ility,  have  been 
the  nominee  of  the  republican  party,  this  year,  for  the  presidency. 
He  was  never  hated  by  the  men  who  could  not  agree  with  him.  He 
would  have  become  the  meeting-point  of  many  men  and  many  minds. 
The  public  would  have  demanded  him ;  the  organization,  weakened 
and  fearful,  would  have  yielded.  He  would  have  been  nominated, 
the  party  would  have  substantially  united  at  his  back,  and  he  would 
ha\e  led  it  to  higher  planes,  to  nobler  purposes  of  true  usefulness, 
than  it  has  known  in  many  years. 

"Just  on  the  eve  of  this  magnificent  opportunity  that  almost  every- 
Ijody,  better  than  he,  saw  was  opening  to  him,  death  came  and  ended 
it  all.  He  had  known  for  a  long  while  that  his  hold  on  life  was  inse- 
cure :  that  organic  disorders  had  weakened  his  heart ;  that  he  might 
go  suddenly,  and  at  any  time.  Knowing  that,  he  never  spared  him- 
self, never  avoided  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day.  Rather,  he  sought 
to  do  more  than  his  share. 

"But  for  the  excesses  of  study  and  effort  which  he  imposed  upon 
himself  during  the  tariff  session  of  1909  and  the  railroad  session  of 
1910,  Dolliver  would  probably  be  alive  to-day.  He  knew  the  danger 
he  was  in\iting  when  he  assumed  those  labors.  He  gave  up  his  life 
and  the  brilliant  prospect  of  a  triumphant  climax  to  his  career,  in  his 
devotion  to  what  he  believed  the  duty  of  the  hour. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  27 

"He  did  more  than  any  other  man  to  make  the  forward  movement 
the  power  it  now  has  become  in  this  nation;  and  he  offered  himself 
as  the  richest  sacrifice  that  was  laid  on  its  altar.  As  truly  as  ever 
a  soldier  in  the  trenches,  he  gave  his  life  for  his  country." 

On  November  20,  1895,  Senator  Dolliver  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Louise  Pearsons,  a  daughter  of  George  R.  Pearsons,  of  Fort 
Dodge.  Mrs.  Dolliver  was  born  in  Vermont  but  has  spent  her  life 
since  she  was  two  years  of  age  in  Iowa.  She  is  a  graduate  of  W'el- 
lesley  College  in  the  class  of  1889,  and  her  intellectual  attainments 
were  a  cooperant  factor  in  her  husband's  brilliant  and  useful  work 
in  the  world.  Senator  and  ]\Irs.  Dolliver  were  the  parents  of  three 
children,  Margaret  Eliza,  Frances  Pearsons  and  Jonathan  Prentiss. 
On  October  15,  1910,  Senator  Dolliver  died.  Political  opponents 
clasped  hands  over  his  grave  in  the  universal  brotherhood  of  sorrow ; 
party  lines  disappeared  before  the  Grim  Reaper  and  his  work  is  today 
a  vital  factor  in  the  life  of  Iowa  and  of  the  nation.  One  of  our  fore- 
most statesmen,  gifted  with  political  ability  second  to  none,  his  death 
marked  the  passing  of  a  man  who  had  gained  the  esteem  and  love 
of  the  people  of  his  state,  prominence  and  distinction  in  America,  and 
honor  throughout  the  world. 


JAMES  BLAKELY  \\ILLIAMS. 

No  history  of  Fort  Dodge  would  be  complete  without  ex- 
tended reference  to  James  Blakely  Williams,  who  was  but  twelve 
years  of  age  when  he  first  visited  the  site  of  the  city.  It  had 
been  selected  as  an  army  post  but  it  was  not  until  the  following 
year  that  the  city  was  laid  out,  with  his  father  as  one  of  its 
promoters  and  incorporators.  From  that  period  until  his  death 
he  lived  here  and  his  life  work  became  an  integral  chapter  in  the 
history  of  the  community.  James  Blakely  Williams  was  born  in 
Hollidaysburg,  Pennsylvania,  May  11,  1836,  a  son  of  Major  Wil- 
liam Williams  and  Judith  Lloyd  ( McConnell)  Williams,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  birthplace  of  the  latter 
being  Huntingdon.  Of  the  five  children  born  to  tliem,  two  sur- 
vived, James  Blakely  and  Mary  Augustine,  who  became  the  wife 
of  J.  F.  Duncombe.  The  father.  Major  Williams,  was  a  l)anker 
in  Hollidaysburg,  Pennsylvania,  until  1849.  when  attracted  by 
the  opportunities  and  advantages  of  the  growing  west,  he  left 
his  native  state.  He  was  born  in  Greensburg,  Westmoreland 
county,   Pennsylvania,   December  6,    1796,   and  was  reared   and 


28  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

educated  among  the  frontier  men  of  that  period,  men  who  had 
served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  had  participated  in  the 
contest  with  the  Indians  for  the  supremacy  of  the  country.  In 
early  life  Major  Williams  became  well  versed  in  military  tactics 
and  it  was  his  desire  to  enter  upon  a  military  career.  When 
sixteen  years  of  age  he  obtained  his  father's  consent  to  join  the 
army  but  circumstances  arose  that  made  this  course  impossible. 
He  visited  both  Pittsburg  and  Carlisle,  where  schools  were  es- 
tablished for  cavalry  and  flying  artillery.  Events,  however, 
forced  him  to  turn  his  attention  to  a  commercial  rather  than  a 
mihtary  career  and  he  obtained  the  position  of  teller  in  the 
Westmoreland  Bank  of  Pennsylvania  at  Greensburg.  This  was 
one  of  the  forty  banks  chartered  during  the  administration  of 
Governor  Snyder.  After  serving  in  that  capacity  for  some  time 
he  resigned  his  position  and  began  the  manufacture  of  salts  on  the 
Kiskiminitas  river.  \\'ith  his  father's  death  the  responsibility  of 
providing  for  and  educating  the  other  children  of  the  family 
devolved  upon  Major  Williams,  a  burden  which  he  assumed 
willingly,  recognizing  at  once  his  obligation  in  that  direction. 
About  that  time  he  accepted  an  appointment  which  gave  him 
charge  of  seven  different  mercantile  establishments,  the  principal 
one  of  which  was  at  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania.  It  was  while 
there  that  he  was  married  on  the  19th  of  August,  1830,  to  Miss 
Judith  Lloyd  McConnell.  On  the  completion  of  the  canal  he  re- 
moved to  Hollidaysburg,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  opened  and 
conducted  a  store,  and  while  there  he  was  tendered  the  appoint- 
ment of  teller  of  the  Exchange  Bank  of  Pittsburg,  which  position 
he  accepted,  removing  to  the  latter  city.  The  liank  determined  to 
establish  a  branch  at  Hollidaysburg  and  Mr.  \\  iliiams  returned  to 
that  place  to  become  cashier  of  the  new  institution,  with  wiiich 
he  was  thus  connected  for  some  years.  On  the  15th  of  May. 
1842,  his  wife  died  and  about  that  time  he  was  tendered  the 
command  of  the  Third  Regiment  in  the  Fenian  cause,  intended 
to  act  in  concert  with  Smith  O'Brien  in  Ireland.  Tliis  regiment 
was  made  up  mostly  of  officers  and  soldiers  who  had  served  in 
Mexico. 

On  the  I2th  of  February,  1844,  Major  Williams  was  again 
married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Jeannette  J.  Quinan, 
a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Thomas  H.  Quinan.  of  Philadelphia.  Tiiey 
continued  residents  of  Pennsylvania  until  March,  1849.  when  they 
started  for  low-a.  Major  Williams  iM-inging  out  a  company  of  one 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  29 

hundred  and  forty-one  people.  Upon  arriving  at  Muscatine  he 
found  that  the  Indians  were  occasioning  considerable  trouble, 
three  companies  of  United  States  troops,  under  command  of 
Major  Samuel  Woods,  arriving  at  Muscatine  about  that  time  on 
their  way  to  Indiantown.  Being  acquainted  with  the  greater 
number  of  officers.  Major  Williams  accompanied  them,  taking 
with  him  his  son  James  Blakely  Williams,  then  a  youth  of 
twelve  years.  A  site  was  selected  on  which  to  establish  a  post, 
called  Fort  Clark,  now  Fort  Dodge,  and  Major  Armstead  was 
dispatched  with  a  company  of  troops  to  the  points  designated. 
Major  Williams,  at  the  request  of  General  Churchill,  Major 
Woods  and  Captain  Caster,  went  to  Fort  Snelling,  as  Governor 
Ramsey  was  then  having  difficulty  with  the  Chippewa  and  Sioux 
Indians,  who  were  collecting  their  forces  for  a  general  war.  After 
the  soldiers  left  Fort  Dodge,  the  object  of  their  mission  having 
been  accomplished,  Major  Williams  opened  a  sutler's  store  and 
traded  with  the  Indians.  The  firm  of  Henn,  Williams  &  Company 
platted  the  town,  now  the  city  of  Fort  Dodge  and  here  Major 
Williams  resided  until  his  death,  which  occurred  February  26, 
1874.  He  was  not  only  the  founder  of  the  town  but  one  of  its 
chief  promoters,  his  labors  constituting  an  important  element  in 
its  substantial  growth  and  improvement  for  many  years.  His 
name  is  inseparably  interwoven  with  its  history.  Major  Williams 
was  the  first  postmaster  and  the  first  mayor  of  Fort  Dodge  and 
he  cooperated  in  all  the  various  movements  which  tended  to 
advance  the  interests  of  the  community.  During  the  latter  years 
of  his  life  he  lived  retired,  enjoying  a  well  earned  and  well  merited 
rest.  A  man  of  liberal  education  and  of  high  moral  character, 
he  was  also  of  a  genial  disposition  and  kindly  spirit.  These  com- 
bined qualities  well  fitted  him  for  leadership  and  he  left  the  im- 
press of  his  individuality  for  good  upon  the  community  in  which 
he  made  his  home. 

James  Blakely  Williams,  son  of  Major  Williams,  became  a 
resident  of  Fort  Dodge  when  thirteen  years  of  age.  He  pursued 
his  education  under  the  direction  of  his  father  and  when  the  Civil 
war  broke  out  enlisted  as  a  member  of  Company  I,  of  the  Thirty- 
second  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Major  Hutchinson,  con- 
tinuing at  the  front  throughout  the  period  of  hostilities.  He  was 
a  fine  penman,  by  reason  of  which  he  wa.s  detailed  to  act  as  chief 
clerk  at  headquarters  under  General  A.  J.  Smith.  Following 
the  war  he  returned  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  opened  a  set  of 


30  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

abstract  books  of  the  county,  and  continued  in  the  abstract 
business  until  his  death,  having  as  liis  partner  his  niece,  Miss 
Maude  Lauderdale,  who  now  owns  the  books  and  the  business 
and  is  well  known  in  Webster  county  as  the  present  incumbent 
in  the  office  of  county  recorder.  Like  his  father,  James  B.  Wil- 
liams was  active  in  promoting  the  welfare,  upbuilding  and  progress 
of  Fort  Dodge  along  many  lines.  Li  his  business  atifairs  he  was 
ever  methodical  and  systematic,  his  records  being  accurate  and 
reliable,  while  his  books  were  a  marvel  of  neatness.  He  was  one 
of  the  best  known  men  in  the  county  and  none  were  held  in  higher 
regard. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  1862,  James  B.  Williams  was  married,  while 
home  from  the  army  on  a  furlough,  to  Miss  Annie  R.  Marshall, 
a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary  Catharine  (Luther)  Marshall. 
Mrs.  Williams  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  New  York,  August  8,  1842, 
and  is  a  granddaughter  of  Thomas  and  Fanny  (Freelove) 
Marshall,  the  former  a  native  of  England  and  the  latter  of  New 
York.  Both  died  during  the  cholera  epidemic  in  that  state  in 
1838.  They  were  parents  of  the  following  named:  James,  Thomas, 
Mary,  Robert.  John  R.,  Sarah  and  Hettie.  Of  these  the  first  three 
died  of  cholera.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Williams  was 
John  Luther,  who  married  Catherine  Baizley.  Thev  were  both 
natives  of  New  York  and  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age. 

Robert  Marshall,  father  of  Mrs.  Williams,  was  born  in  New 
York  city  and  while  in  P.rooklyn  was  a  rope  manufacturer,  owning 
an  extensive  factory  which  covered  nine  blockj.  He  removed 
westward  in  the  "60s,  making  the  journey  with  a  companv  of 
seventeen  people,  and  settled  on  the  borders  of  Humboldt  and 
Webster  counties,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  Unto  him  and 
his  wife  were  born  thirteen  children.  Catharine  E..  Robert  J., 
Thomas  A..  Mary  Grace,  John  Luther.  Sadie  F.,  Annie  R..  John 
Luther  H.  Margaret  Antoinette.  William  K.  and  Fannv  F..  twins, 
Cornelia  Cox  and  Fanny  Freelove  H.  The  father,  Robert 
Marshall,  died  on  June  26,  1875.  at  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years, 
and  the  mother,  Mary  C.  (Luther)  Marshall,  passed  awav  October 
7.  1899,  at  the  age  of  eighty-eight  years. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  B.  AVilliams  were  born  three  children: 
Alired  and  Robbie  Lloyd,  both  now  deceased ;  and  one,  who  died 
in  infancy.  The  death  of  Mr.  Williams  occurred  August  25,  1903. 
when  he  was  sixty-seven  years  of  age.  He  had  been  almost  a  life- 
long resident  of  \Vebster  county  and  the  circle  of  his  friends  was 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  31 

almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintances.  He  was 
held  in  the  highest  regard  by  reason  of  his  reliability  in  business, 
his  loyalty  and  progressiveness  in  citizenship  and  his  devotion  to 
family  and  friends.  Mrs.  Williams  died  at  Fort  Dodge,  on  August 
15,  1912. 


HON.  WILLIAM  LARRABEE. 

Indelibly  inscribed  on  the  pages  of  Iowa's  history  is  the  name  of 
ex-Governor  William  Larrabee.  He  has  ever  been  faultless  in 
honor,  fearless  in  conduct  and  stainless  in  reputation,  and  his 
record  is  one  which  reflects  credit  and  honor  upon  the  state  that 
has  honored  him  with  its  highest  office.  He  was  born  in  Led- 
yard,  Connecticut,  January  20,  1832,  and  is  a  son  of  Adam  Lar- 
rabee, who  was  also  born  in  Connecticut.  His  immediate  ances- 
tors were  English,  while  those  of  a  more  remote  period  were 
F"rench.  Adam  Larrabee  was  a  student  and  graduate  of  the  West 
Point  Military  Academy  and  served  with  distinction  in  the  War 
of  1812,  holding  the  rank  of  lieutenant.  Wounds  which  he  sus- 
tained in  that  war  hastened  his  death.  He  married  Miss  Lester 
and  they  had  a  large  family. 

William  Larrabee  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Con- 
necticut and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  began  teaching.  He 
came  to  Iowa  in  1853,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  for  a  year 
engaged  in  teaching  school  in  this  state,  being  thus  employed 
near  Clermont.  He  afterward  worked  on  a  farm  in  Clayton 
county,  being  employed  by  Judge  E.  H.  Williams  as  foreman  of 
his  large  farm  lying  partly  in  Clayton  and  partly  in  Fayette 
counties.  In  1857  he  bought  the  flouring  mills  at  Clermont,  Iowa, 
and  for  some  years  devoted  his  attention  successfully  to  the  manu- 
facture of  flour.  Later  he  resumed  farming  and  before  many 
years  ranked  as  one  of  the  leading  agriculturists  and  landowners 
of  his  section  of  the  state.  He  afterward  became  interested  in 
banking  in  Clermont  and  in  other  cities  and  as  the  years  went  by 
won  a  substantial  measure  of  success.  At  the  outl^reak  of  the 
Civil  war  he  made  an  efifort  to  enlist  in  the  army  but  on  account 
of  physical  disability  was  rejected.  It  was  a  matter  of  great 
grief  to  him  that  he  could  not  become  a  soldier,  although  he 
made  several  attempts  to  do  so.  He  was  intensely  patriotic 
and  manifested  his  love  of  country  in  many  ways. 


32  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

On  the  I2th  of  September,  1861,  Mr.  Larrabee  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Matilda  Appelman,  also  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut, her  birth  having  occurred  at  Mystic  on  the  13th  of 
August,  1842.  She  is  the  eldest  child  of  Gustavus  Adolphus 
and  Prudence  Anna  Appelman,  whose  ancestors  were  prominent 
in  the  afifairs  of  their  native  province  in  Germany.  Gustavus 
Appelman  was  widely  known  as  a  sea  captain,  following  the  sea 
for  many  years.  At  length,  however,  he  abandoned  that  life 
and  came  to  the  west  to  engage  in  farming.  He  settled  on  a  farm 
near  the  village  of  Clermont,  Fayette  county,  and  while  living 
there  his  daughter  Anna,  who  afterward  became  Mrs.  Larra- 
bee, attended  the  country  schools  until  fourteen  years  of  age. 
She  was  then  sent  to  Mystic,  Connecticut,  where  she  entered  an 
academy  in  which  she  spent  two  years.  After  returning  to  Cler- 
mont she  took  up  the  work  of  teaching  in  the  village  school,  which 
had  an  enrollment  of  seventy  pupils,  but  the  young  teacher  was 
equal  to  the  task.  Her  home  was  about  a  mile  from  the  village 
and  she  followed  the  old  Indian  trails  to  and  from  the  town,  day 
after  day.  She  had  to  teach  all  grades  and  for  her  services  re- 
ceived a  compensation  of  twenty-five  dollars  per  month.  With 
the  earnings  of  a  few  months  she  purchased  her  wedding  out- 
fit. For  more  than  fifty  years  she  and  her  distinguished  husband 
have  been  traveling  life's  pathway  together,  sharing  each  other's 
joys  and  sorrows.  She  has  been  a  great  help  to  him  and  Mr.  Lar- 
rabee has  ever  given  her  credit  in  large  measure  for  his  suc- 
cessful career.  Together  they  encountered  all  the  hardships  of 
pioneer  days.  At  an  early  period  their  financial  resources  were 
limited  but  they  possessed  hope,  character  and  ambition.  Mrs. 
Larrabee,  like  her  husband,  has  always  kept  well  informed  on 
all  pul)lic  questions  and  can  discuss  intelligently  the  important 
problems  of  the  day.  Moreover,  she  is  thoroughly  a  home  woman 
and  presides  with  gracious  hospitality  over  Montauk,  their 
beautiful  home. 

The  history  of  William  Larral)ee  constitutes  an  important 
chapter  in  the  history  of  Iowa.  He  has  always  taken  a  deep  and 
helpful  interest  in  government  afYairs.  In  1867  he  was  elected  to 
represent  his  district  in  the  state  senate  and  remained  a  member 
thereof  for  eighteen  years.  The  record  of  scarcely  any  man 
in  public  life  in  Iowa  has  extended  over  a  longer  period  and  no 
one  has  been  more  commendable,  honorable  and  useful.  The  re- 
publican party  named  him  as  its  candidate  for  governor  in  1885 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  33 

and  the  people  of  the  state  supported  liini  not  only  in  that  year 
but  again  in  1887.  His  administration  ranks  among  the  strongest 
that  Iowa  has  had.  His  name  was  frequently  mentioned  for 
United  States  senator  and  he  could  have  had  the  office  for  the 
asking  but  always  declined  the  honor. 

On  the  i^tli  of  September,  191 1,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larrabee  cele- 
brated their  golden  wedding  anniversary.  They  are  the  parents 
of  three  sons  and  four  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  living,  with 
the  exception  of  Augusta,  who  was  the  wife  of  Victor  B.  DoUiver. 
The  others  are:  Julia,  the  wife  of  Don  L.  Love,  of  Lincoln,  Ne- 
braska; Anna;  \\'illiani,  of  Clermont;  Frederic,  of  Fort  Dodge, 
mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume  ;  Helen,  the  wife  of  C.  B. 
Robbins,  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa ;  and  Charles,  living  at  Fort 
Dodge.  The  specific  and  distinctive  office  of  biography  is  not 
to  give  voice  to  a  man's  modest  estimate  of  himself  and  his  ac- 
complishments but  rather  to  leave  the  perpetual  record  establish- 
ing his  character  by  the  consensus  of  public  opinion  on  the  part 
of  his  fellowmen.  Throughout  Iowa,  William  Larrabee  is  spoken 
of  in  terms  of  admiration  and  respect.  His  life  has  been  so 
varied,  so  honorable  in  its  purpose  and  so  far-reaching  and  benefi- 
cial in  its  efifects  that  it  has  become  an  integral  part  of  the  history 
of  the  west  and  has  left  a  deep  impress  upon  the  state  of  Iowa. 
Since  the  aJDOve  was  written  Governor  Larrabee  passed  away, 
November  16,  19 12. 


PROFESSOR  JOHN  F.  MONK. 
Professor  John  F.  Monk  is  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Tobin 
College  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  and  has  spent  many  years  in  the 
chair  of  language  in  that  institution.  He  has  gained  prominence 
as  a  linguist  and  as  a  cultured  scholar.  His  active  connection 
with  the  college  has  lasted  for  many  years  and  has  been  of  aid 
to  bring  about  its  systematic  efficiency.  Under  his  able  adminis- 
tration the  institution  has  grown  and  has  constantly  broadened 
its  field  of  activity  and  increased  the  facilities  it  offers  its  students. 
Professor  Monk  was  born  in  Springford,  Ontario,  Canada,  De- 
cember 8,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of  Simon  N.  and  Frances  A.  (In- 
gram) Monk,  both  natives  of  Canada.  The  family  is  of  German' 
origin,  and  has  been  founded  in  America  for  many  generations. 
It  was  represented  in  the  Revolutionary  war  by  the  great-grand- 
father  of   our   subject,   who   served   under   General   Washington 


34  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

as  captain  of  artillery  for  seven  years.  In  the  next  generation 
the  family  residence  was  removed  from  the  United  States  to 
Canada  and  here  Simon  Monk,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was 
born.  He  engaged  in  agriculture  and  cultivated  many  acres  of 
land  until  1867,  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Iowa  and 
located  in  Cedar  county.  He  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of 
this  district  and  was  entirely  responsible  for  the  high  degree  of 
cultivation  to  which  he  brought  his  land  before  his  death. 

He,  by  his  career  as  an  agriculturist,  was  a  developing  force  in 
the  progress  of  civilization.  He  made  all  the  improvements  upon 
his  holdings,  and  in  conjunction  with  his  brother  built  the  struc- 
tures which  protected  his  grain  and  furnished  shelter  for  his  stock. 
He  furnished  his  house  with  goods  brought  through  from  Canada 
by  team,  and  continued  to  operate  his  farm  until  1901,  when  he 
retired  from  active  life  and  removed  to  Tipton  where  he  now 
resides.  He  is  in  the  seventy-first  year  of  his  age  and  has  sur- 
vived his  wife  for  two  years,  her  death  having  occurred  in  May, 
1910. 

John  F.  Monk  was  reared  at  home  and  received  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  Cedar  county.  He  subsequently 
entered  the  high  school  of  Tipton  and  was  graduated  with  honors 
after  a  four  years'  course.  He  made  good  use  of  his  advantages 
and  utilized  every  opportunity  of  an  educational  kind.  He  early 
showed  the  scholarly  bent  of  his  mind  and  was  intensely  inter- 
ested in  e\erything  which  made  for  a  broader  culture  and  more 
representative  learning.  He  entered  \'alparaiso  University  at 
Valparaiso,  Indiana,  and  was  graduated  from  the  liberal  arts 
course  of  that  institution  in  1891.  He  immediately  engaged  in 
teaching  and  accepted  a  position  at  Panola  College  at  Carthage, 
Texas,  where  he  remained  for  a  short  period.  His  professional 
career  then  brought  him  to  Mason  City,  Iowa,  where  he  taught 
for  one  year  before  he  came  to  Fort  Dodge  to  accept  the  position 
as  professor  of  languages  in  Tobin  College.  At  the  time  of  Pro- 
fessor Monk's  original  identification  with  this  institution  Mr. 
Tobin  was  in  active  control  of  its  policies  and  continued  his  con- 
nection with  it  until  his  death  in  1890.  In  that  year  Professor 
Monk,  in  conjunction  with  Mr.  Findlay.  purchased  the  property 
and  they  have  controlled  and  directed  the  rapidly  developing  col- 
lege since  that  time.  Professor  Monk  is  still  active  in  the  de- 
partment of  languages,  but  also  gives  his  organizing  mind  and  his 
power  of  direction  and  control  to  the  management  of  the  busi- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  35 

ness  end  of  the  enterprise.  Under  his  able  administration  the 
institution  has  grown  from  a  small  beginning  to  a  comparatively 
large  educational  enterprise.  It  enrolled  four  hundred  students 
in  1912,  and  each  year  brings  a  substantial  increase  in  this  num- 
ber. It  is  one  of  the  forces  in  the  educational  world  of  the  middle 
west,  and  the  efficiency  of  its  curi^eulum  and  the  thorough  equip- 
ment which  it  gives  to  its  students  have  made  its  name  a  synonym 
for  all  that  is  important  and  useful  in  educational  circles.  Much 
of  this  prominence  and  prosperity  are  tlue  to  the  well  directed  and 
concentrated  efforts  of  Professor  Monk  who  unites  in  his  char- 
acter the  qualities  of  an  upright  and  honorable  business  man 
with  those  of  a  cultured  and  deeply  read  scholar. 

In  August,  1892,  Professor  Monk  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Helen  M.  Anderson,  a  daughter  of  James  N.  and  Margaret 
(Dougallj  Anderson,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  both 
tracing  their  ancestral  line  to  Scotland.  At  an  early  date  the 
father  purchased  a  farm  in  Cedar  county.  Iowa,  which  he  im- 
proved and  operated  for  many  years  prior  to  his  retirement.  He 
removed  to  Blount  Vernon  in  order  to  give  his  three  daughters 
the  educational  advantages  offered  by  that  city  and  made  this 
his  home  until  his  death  which  occurred  in  1900.  After  his  de- 
mise his  widow  came  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  and  bought  a  com- 
fortable and  commodious  home  in  this  city,  where  she  is  now  re- 
siding in  the  seventy-third  year  of  her  age.  Professor  Monk  and 
his  wife  are  the  parents  of  four  children :  Florence  G.,  a  graduate 
of  the  Fort  Dodge  high  school,  who  is  eighteen  years  of  age ;  Mel- 
ville A.,  whose  birth  occurred  in  1895;  Dorothy  H.,  wdio  was  born 
in  1897:  and  John  J.,  who  is  thirteen  years  of  age. 

Professor  Monk's  increasing  distinction  in  the  educational 
field  has  brought  him  recognition  in  many  different  lines.  He 
has  arduous  duties  as  head  of  an  im])ortant  department  in  his 
college  and  his  increasing  responsibilities  in  its  business  manage- 
ment absorb  almost  his  entire  attention.  He,  however,  finds  time 
to  be  of  able  and  effective  service  as  president  of  the  Chautauqua 
assembly  and  to  his  well  directed  management  and  his  conspicu- 
ous organizing  ability  this  institution  owes  much  of  its  present 
success.  He  is  also  a  director  of  the  Fort  Dodge  Commercial 
Club  and  president  of  the  official  board  of  the  Methodist  church. 
to  which  he  and  his  family  give  allegiance.  Politically  he  be- 
longs to  the  republican  party  and  keeps  himself  w'ell  abreast 
of  the   times   upon    national    and   local    issues.      His    educational 


36  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

career,  however,  absorbs  most  of  his  energies  and  his  best  and 
most  efficient  work  is  done  in  that  field.  The  quality  of  his  at- 
tainment along  this  line  manifests  the  realization  of  his  responsibilities 
toward  his  pupils  and  toward  educational  circles  at  large. 
He  labors  incessantly  to  make  his  college  broad  and  to  develop 
it  along  cultural  lines.  He  has  won  succees  in  his  ambitious 
endeavors  and  his  prosperity  lies  along  the  road  of  well  directed 
efifort. 


CLEM  A.  BOHXEXKAMP. 

Clem  A.  Bohnenkamp,  proprietor  and  editor  of  The  Buncombe 
Tribune,  is  one  of  Iowa's  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  in 
Carroll  county,  on  the  23d  of  February,  1877.  His  parents  are 
John  H.  and  Caroline  (Bruning)  Bohnenkamp,  natives,  respec- 
tively, of  Germany  and  Wisconsin.  The  father  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  his  boyhood  with  his  parents,  who  located  in 
Delaware  county,  Iowa.  There  he  was  reared  to  manhood  and 
educated,  subsequently  engaging  in  farming  for  a  year.  At  the 
expiration  of  that  time  he  engaged  in  the  live-stock  business  in 
Breda,  this  state,  with  which  he  was  identified  for  fifteen  years. 
He  then  disposed  of  his  interests  in  this  connection  and  opened 
a  meat  market  in  the  same  place,  which  he  is  still  conducting. 
The  mother  is  also  living.  Tiiey  are  the  parents  of  ten  living 
children,  eight  sons  and  two  daughters. 

Reared  at  home,  the  education  of  Clem  A.  Bohnenkamp  was 
obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Breda,  Carroll  county,  which  he 
attended  until  graduated  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years.  Upon 
the  termination  of  his  student  days  he  learned  the  printer's  trade 
and  also  qualified  himself  for  a  newspaper  career.  Diligent  and 
enterprising,  he  early  manifested  unusual  business  ability  and  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  years  bought  out  the  Breda  Watchman,  a 
weekly  journal,  which  he  successfully  edited  for  fifteen  years.  At 
the  expiraion  of  that  time  he  removed  with  his  plant  to  Duncombe 
and.  in  May,  1909,  established  and  issued  the  first  copy  of_  The 
Duncombe  Tribune.  It  is  a  clean,  wholesome,  newsy  sheet  and 
independent  in  politics.  Although  it  has  only  been  founded 
three  years,  the  Tribune  has  a  large  and  constantly  increasing 
circulation,  as  it  stands  for  progress  and  enthusiastically  cham- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  37 

pions  every  movement  which  will  tend  to  promote  the  develop- 
ment of  the  community  or  advance  the  interests  of  the  town.  Mr. 
Bohnenkamp  has  a  well  equipped  plant  for  a  town  of  the  size  and 
is  prepared  to  do  all  kinds  of  job  work,  of  which  he  makes  a 
specialty. 

Mr.  Bohnenkamp  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  hav- 
ing been  with  Miss  Christina  Ricke,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and 
Mary  Ricke,  the  event  being  celebrated  on  the  15th  of  February, 
1898.  Five  children  were  born  of  this  marriage,  as  follows: 
Richard,  who  is  twelve  years  of  age;  Drusiila,  who  is  eight;  Lil- 
lian, who  died  in  1904,  at  the  age  of  a  year  and  a  half ;  one  who 
died  at  the  age  of  six  months  in  1907;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 
Mrs.  Bohnenkamp  is  also  deceased,  having  passed  away  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1909,  after  an  illness  of  three  months.  On  January  6, 
1910,  Mr.  Bohnenkamp  married  Miss  Josephine  Meder,  a  daugh- 
ter of  J.  H.  and  Mary  Meder,  natives  of  Texas. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bohnenkamp  are  members  of  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic church,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus and  the  Modern  ^^'oodmen  of  America.  He  supports  the 
democratic  party  and  while  living  in  Breda  served  for  several 
years  as  city  clerk.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  local  enter- 
prises and  is  secretary  of  the  Farmers  Cooperative  Elevator  Com- 
pany of  Duncombe.  Mr.  Bohnenkamp  is  a  most  desirable  citizen 
and  takes  an  active  interest  in  the  development  of  the  town, 
where  he  owns  his  residence  and  a  thriving  business. 


TAMES  CAMPBELL. 


James  Campliell,  who  is  the  successful  owner  and  manager  of  a 
brick  and  tile  i)lanl  at  Lehigh,  was  born  in  ^Manhattan,  Illinois,  May 
4,  1863.  He  was  reared  in  Manhattan  and  in  early  youth  worked  on 
a  farm  in  that  district,  where  he  remained  until  he  removed  to  Iowa, 
locating  in  Lehigh.  Here  he  became  interested  in  the  enterprise 
which  he  now  owns,  a  brick  and  tile  factory,  which  was  opened  in 
October,  1901,  under  the  firm  name  uf  Straight  &  Campbell,  his 
partner  being  W.  .\.  Straight.  In  January,  1904,  Mr.  Campbell  i)ur- 
chased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Straight  and  Uiuk  over  the  management 
of  the  factory.  He  improved  and  enlarged  the  plant  so  that  its  out- 
put was  greatly  increased.     The  factory  has  a  steam  dryer  and  turns 


38  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

out  a  high  grade  of  brick  and  tile  and  our  subject  employs  about 
thirty-five  men.  The  brickyard  occupies  about  nineteen  acres  of 
land,  which  is  under  two  roofs,  and  it  is  equipped  with  an  electric 
light  plant.  Mr.  Campbell  has  other  interests  also,  being  president 
of  the  Alberta  Clay  &  Pottery  Company  of  ]\Iedicine  Hat,  Canada. 
In  1904,  James  Campbell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Viola 
Marsh,  a  native  of  this  county,  and  a  daughter  of  George  W.  Marsh, 
who  is  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Campbell  are  the  parents  of  one  son, 
George  A.,  who  was  born  December  17,  1908.  In  his  political  views 
Mr.  Campbell  is  democratic  but  he  never  has  sought  or  cared  for 
public  office.  He  is  a  successful  business  man  and  has  worked  his 
way  upward  until  he  is  today  accounted  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens 
of  Lehigh.  He  is  practical  and  systematic  and  has  gained  that 
measure  of  success  which  usually  follows  earnest,  persistent  and  well 
directed  labor.  He  has  a  wide  circle  of  acquaintances  and  stands  high 
in  the  regard  of  all  who  know  him. 


FLOYD  BENJAMIN  OLNEY,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Floyd  Benjamin  Olney,  who  occupies  a  foremost  position 
in  professional  ranks  in  Webster  county,  is  a  well  known  physi- 
cian and  surgeon  of  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  has  practiced  continu- 
ously for  more  than  three  decades.  His  birth  occurred  in  South 
Toledo,  Ohio,  on  the  20th  of  November,  185 1,  his  parents  being 
Dr.  Stephen  B.  and  Stella  (Badger)  Olney,  the  former  a  nati\e  of 
Saratoga,  New  York,  and  the  latter  of  Painesville,  Ohio.  The 
first  representative  of  the  family  in  this  country  was  Thomas 
Olney,  who  came  from  England  in  1631.  locating  in  Massachu- 
setts and  subsecjuently  going  with  Roger  Williams  to  Rhode 
Island,  where  he  afterward  succeeded  the  latter  in  the  ministry. 
Benjamin  Olney.  the  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a 
native  of  Rhode  Island  and  a  farmer  by  occupation.  The  mater- 
nal grandfather  was  born  in  Massachusetts. 

Stephen  Berry  Olney,  the  father  of  Dr.  F.  B.  Olney,  was  a 
youth  of  twelve  years  when  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  north- 
western Ohio  and  was  there  reared  to  manhood  on  a  farm.  He 
later  studied  medicine  and  surgery,  jjracticing  first  in  South  To- 
ledo, Ohio,  and  subsecjuently  spending  a  short  time  at  Adrian, 
Michigan.     In  the  spring  of  1855  he  came  to  Fort  Dodge.  Iowa, 


J73. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  41 

and  here  successfully  practiced  his  profession  until  1888.  From 
1862  until  1865  he  did  valuable  service  for  the  Union  as  surgeon 
of  the  Thirty-second  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry.  In  1890  he  re- 
moved to  Hammonton,  New  Jersey,  where  he  passed  away  on  the 
31st  of  March,  1891,  when  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  His  widow 
then  returned  to  Fort  Dodge  but  later  took  up  her  abode  at 
Clarkston,  Washington,  and  in  1908  removed  to  Modesto,  Cali- 
fornia, where  she  died  in  1909  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years. 
Dr.  Stephen  Olney  was  a  Baptist  in  religious  faith  and  his  wife 
was  a  Presbyterian.  There  being  no  churches  of  those  denomina- 
tions in  Fort  Dodge,  they  became  affiliated  with  the  Episcopali- 
ans. After  her  husband's  demise  Mrs.  Olney  returned  to  the 
Presbyterian  church  but  she  died  in  the  Adventists'  faith.  Dr. 
Olney  was  republican  in  his  political  views,  served  as  one  of  the 
early  officers  of  the  Fort  Dodge  school  board  and  was  also  a 
prominent  Mason.  To  him  and  his  wife  were  born  five  children, 
as  follows:  Floyd  Benjamin,  of  this  review;  Edith  Adelaide,  the 
wife  of  Thaddeus  Green,  of  Pomona.  California;  Charles  Crary 
Olney,  who  is  a  resident  of  ConconoUy,  Washington ;  Edward  B., 
of  Washington,  D.  C. ;  and  Mary  Elizabeth,  an  osteopathic  physi- 
cian of  Pomeroy,  Washington. 

Floyd  B.  Olney  was  four  years  of  age  when  brought  to  Fort 
Dodge  by  his  parents  and  has  here  resided  continuously  since, 
with  the  exception  of  about  ten  years.  He  attended  the  public 
schools  and  was  a  member  of  the  first  graduating  class  from  the 
high  school.  After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he  learned  the 
printer's  trade  and  as  a  representative  of  the  "art  preservative" 
worked  on  a  number  of  city  papers,  including  the  Chicago  Trib- 
une. Later  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  study  of  medicine 
and  in  1881  was  graduated  from  the  Hahnemann  Medical  CoUeg'e 
of  Chicago.  Fort  Dodge  has  been  the  scene  of  his  professional 
labors  throughout  the  intervening  period  of  thirty-one  years,  and 
the  extensive  practice  accorded  him  is  unmistakable  proof  of  his 
skill  and  ability  in  the  line  of  his  chosen  vocation.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Webster  County  Medical  Society  and  the  Iowa  State 
Medical  Society,  and  thus  keeps  in  close  touch  with  the  progress 
of  the  profession. 

•  On  the  5th  of  April,  1877,  Dr.  Olney  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Hattie  Elizabeth  Greig,  a  native  of  Nunda,  New  York, 
and  a  daughter  of  Alexander  W.  and  Melinda  (George)  Greig, 
who  were  born  in  New  York  and  New  Hampshire  respectively. 


42  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Olney  was  George  Greig.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Alexander  W.  Greig  were  the  parents  of  one  son  and 
four  daughters,  namely:  Hattie,  Mattie,  Carrie.  Georgia  and 
Charles  D.  Unto  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Olney  have  been  born  four  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Kate,  who  died  in  1899  when  twenty  years  of 
age;  Anne,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Michigan  University  at  Ann 
Arbor  and  is  now  a  teacher  of  Latin  and  German  in  the  Burling- 
ton high  school ;  Elizabeth,  who  is  the  wife  of  Nathan  Barr  Jone? 
and  resides  in  St.  Maries,  Idaho;  and  Doris,  who  is  the  wife  o 
Benjamin  Harrison  Merritt  and  lives  on  a  farm  near  Hereford, 
Colorado. 

Dr.  Olney  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party 
and  served  as  pension  surgeon  for  a  number  of  years.  Fraternally 
he  is  identified  with  the  Masons,  belonging  to  Ashlar  Lodge,  No. 
Ill,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Delta  Chapter,  No.  51,  R.  A.  M. ;  and  Calvary 
Commandery,  No.  24,  K.  T.  He  is  likewise  connected  with  the 
Red  Men  and  the  Woodmen  of  the  World.  Both  Dr.  Olney  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  church,  the  former  acting 
as  church  trustee.  In  all  the  relations  of  life  he  has  stood  as  a 
man  among  men,  accepting  no  false  standards,  holding  to  high 
ideals  and  exemplifying  his  synipathy  with  the  world's  progress  in 
his  own  life. 


ARTHUR   C.   LINDBERG. 

On  the  roster  of  county  officials  in  Webster  county  appears 
the  name  of  Arthur  C.  Lindberg,  who  is  filling  the  position  of 
treasurer.  On  the  whole  the  county  has  been  signally  favored 
in  the  class  of  men  who  have  occupied  its  public  offices,  for  they 
have  been  loyal  to  the  interests  entrusted  to  their  care  and  have 
sought  the  welfare  of  the  many  rather  than  of  the  few.  A  repre- 
sentative of  this  class  is  Mr.  Lindberg,  who  is  one  of  Iowa's  native 
sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Dayton,  March  19,  1879.  The 
family  comes  of  Swedish  ancestry.  John  A.  Lindberg,  the 
grandfather,  was  a  native  of  Sweden  and  became  an  early  settler 
of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  whence  he  removed  to  Webster  county 
in  1854.  He  cast  his  lot  with  its  early  settlers  and  followed  the 
occupation  of  farming.  Both  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  a  ripe  old 
age  and  they  reared  four  children,  including  Mary,  Lenore  and 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  43 

John  A.  Lindberg.  The  last  named  was  born  m  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  but  was  reared  upon  the  homestead  farm  in  Webster 
county,  early  becoming  familiar  with  all  of  the  experiences  and 
incidents  of  frontier  life.  He  supplemented  his  early  education 
by  a  course  in  the  State  University  of  Iowa  and  was  graduated 
from  its  law  department.  He  practiced  law  for  a  time  but  turned 
his  attention  to  newspaper  publication  in  the  '70s,  becoming  owner 
and  publisher  of  the  Dayton  Review  at  Dayton,  Iowa.  He  re- 
mained at  the  head  of  that  paper  until  1894,  when  he  sold  out  and 
he  has  since  given  his  attention  to  financial  and  real-estate  Inter- 
ests, having  throughout  the  intervening  period  been  president  of 
the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Dayton.  He  engaged  in  the  real- 
estate,  loan  and  insurance  business  there  and  has  a  large  clientage 
that  makes  his  business  a  profitable  one.  His  judgment  is  sound 
and  his  discrimination  keen,  while  his  enterprise  is  unfaltering. 
He  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  for  thirty  years  has  served 
as  justice  of  the  peace.  AVhat  higher  proof  could  be  given  of 
faithful  and  efticient  service  in  ofirce  ?  He  has  also  served  as 
mayor  of  Dayton  for  a  number  of  terms,  giving  to  the  city  a 
business-like  and  public-spirited  administration  which  has  brought 
about  various  useful  reforms  and  improvements.  He  married 
Amelia  A.  Brundien,  a  native  of  Knox  county,  Illinois,  where 
her  parents  settled  at  an  early  date.  Her  family  became  early 
residents  of  Webster  county  and  her  father  followed  farming  near 
Dayton.  He  was  killed  in  a  runaway  accident  when  he  and  one 
of  his  daughters  were  on  their  way  to  Fort  Dodge.  He  was,  at 
that  time,  about  fifty  years  of  age.  His  wife  lived  to  be  more 
than  eighty  years  of  age.  In  their  family  were  but  two  children. 
Peter  and  Amelia.  Mr.  and  j\Irs.  John  A.  Lindberg  had  two  chil- 
dren :    Clarence  J.,  a  resident  of  Edna,  Texas;  and  Arthur  C. 

Arthur  C.  Lindberg  was  reared  in  Dayton  and  attended  the 
public  schools  there.  The  experiences  of  his  youth  were  such  as 
most  boys  have,  and  with  the  completion  of  his  education  he 
turned  his  attention  to  the  business  world  in  search  of  a  position 
that  would  yield  him  a  good  living.  In  1896  he  entered  the 
Farmers  State  Bank  of  Dayton  as  bookkeeper  and  was  later 
assistant  cashier.  On  the  ist  of  January,  1907,  he  became  deputy 
county  treasurer  under  Peter  Hadley  and  he  was  elected  county 
treasurer  in  November,  1910,  assuming  the  duties  of  the  position 
on  the  1st  of  January  following,  so  that  he  is  now  the  incumbent 
in  that  office.     His  previous  experience  as  deputy  well  qualified 


44  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

him  for  his  duties  in  this  connection  and  he  is  making:  an  ex- 
cellent  record  for  efificiency.  For  several  years  he  was  city  clerk 
at  Dayton. 

Arthur  C.  Lindberg  holds  membership  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Improved 
Order  of  Red  Men  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen 
and  he  is  secretary  of  the  local  Country  Club.  His  political  alle- 
giance is  given  the  republican  party  and  he  is  popular  and  w-ell 
liked  wherever  known.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  this 
county,  where  his  entire  life  has  been  passed,  and  the  record  he 
is  making  is  a  creditable  one. 


EDWARD  E.  HASTINGS,  D.  D. 

Dr.  Edward  E.  Hastings,  who  has  been  pastor  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  church  for  the  past  five  years,  is  one  of  the  most  highly 
esteemed  and  influential  citizens  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  was  born  at 
Carroll,  Iowa,  on  the  25th  of  September,  187 1,  and  is  a  son  of  E.  R. 
and  Kate  M.  (Manning)  Hastings.  The  father  was  a  native  of 
Ohio,  whence  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  coming  from  there  to 
Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  in  the  early  '60s.  He  completed  his  education 
at  Western  College,  Western,  Iowa,  and  was  subsequently  admitted 
to  the  bar,  but  soon  withdrew  from  the  law  and  turned  his  attention 
to  newspaper  work,  following  this  during  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
During  the  early  period  of  his  journalistic  career  he  purchased  a 
half  interest  in  the  "Carroll  Herald,"  Carroll,  Iowa,  later  becoming 
the  sole  proprietor.  He  was  a  man  of  tine  mental  attainments  and 
a  forceful  writer,  and  readily  became  recognized  as  one  uf  tiie 
foremost  newspaper  men  in  northwestern  Iowa.  He  always  took  an 
active  interest  in  political  affairs  and  became  one  of  the  republican 
leaders  in  that  section  of  the  state,  his  paper  heartily  indorsing  and 
championing  the  principles  of  this  party.  \\'hile  still  in  his  prime. 
Mr.  Hastings  was  compelled  to  give  up  his  work  owing  to  failing 
health,  and  sold  the  Herald  to  John  B.  Hungerford.  the  present 
owner.  He  continued  to  make  his  home  in  Carroll,  however,  and 
there  he  passed  away  in  1886.  He  was  one  of  the  most  widely 
known  men  in  the  county,  as  in  addition  to  editing  his  paper  he 
ser\-ed  as  postmaster  at  Carroll  for  twelve  years,  discharging  the 
duties  of  this  office  in  a  highly  efficient  and  capable  manner.     The 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  45 

mother,  who  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  is  still  living  and  now  makes  her 
home  with  our  subject. 

Dr.  Hastings  was  reared  amid  the  refining  influences  of  a  good 
home,  and  from  early  childhood  had  the  advantages  of  an  intellectual 
and  cultured  environment.  At  the  usual  age  he  entered  the  public 
schools  of  Carroll,  continuing  his  studies  there  until  graduated  from 
high  school.  In  the  autumn,  following,  he  entered  Coe  College  at 
Cedar  Rapids,  being  awarded  the  degree  of  Ph.  B.  from  this  institu- 
tion with  the  class  of  1893.  Having  decided  to  become  a  minister, 
he  subsequently  matriculated  in  the  McCormick  Theological  Semi- 
nary at  Chicago,  having  been  licensed  by  the  Cedar  Rapids  Pres- 
bytery and  received  as  a  student  for  the  ministry  from  the  First 
Presbyterian  church  of  Cedar  Rapids,  of  which  Dr.  E.  R.  Burk- 
holder  w^as  then  pastor.  Dr.  Hastings  graduated  from  the  semi- 
nary in  1896  and  w^as  ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Sioux  Citv, 
Iowa.  He  began  his  ministerial  duties  as  pastor  of  the  church 
at  Odebolt,  Iowa,  remaining  there  for  four  years.  During  the 
period  of  his  pastorate  he  greatly  increased  the  menil)ership  of 
the  church  and  erected  and  dedicated  a  beautiful  new  house  of 
worship.  From  there  he  went  to  Inwood,  Lyon  county,  but  he 
resigned  his  cliarge  eighteen  months  later  in  order  to  accept  a 
call  to  the  First  Presbyterian  church  of  Grundy  Center,  Iowa, 
which  is  in  the  \\'aterloo  Presbytery.  In  1907,  Dr.  Hastings 
came  to  Fort  Dodge,  as  pastor  of  the  First  church  of  this  city. 
The  possessor  of  rare  spiritual  and  mental  qualities,  a  pleasing 
personality  and  fine  presence,  he  has  proven  to  be  a  most  in- 
fluential factor  in  the  community  and  is  accomplishing  excel- 
lent results.  His  discourses  are  scholarly  and  highly  creditable 
achievements,  manifesting  careful  preparation  and  deep  thinking; 
their  power  being  greatly  increased  by  his  able  delivery.  He  has  one 
of  the  largest  congregations  in  the  city,  and  the  church  and  its 
various  organizations  are  thri\-ing.  the  work  of  the  dift'erent  depart- 
ments being  carried  on  in  a  most  enthusiastic  and  capable  manner 
under  his  leadersliii>. 

At  Carroll,  Iowa,  on  the  23rd  of  October.  1894,  Dr.  Hastings 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  May  T.  Bailey,  a  former  school  antl 
college  mate,  and  a  daughter  of  Dr.  T.  S.  and  Helen  (Gee)  Bailey. 
Dr.  Bailey  is  a  native  of  Ohio  and  was  educated  at  the  Ohio  State 
University  at  Columbus,  being  a  member  of  the  class  of  '69.  He 
subsequently  entered  the  Presbyterian  Ministry  and  held  many 
important  charges    in   r)hi(>   and    Iowa,   and    for   sixteen  years    was 


46  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

synodical  superintendent  of  home  missions  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
of  Iowa.  He  made  his  home  in  Carroll  for  some  years,  but  he  has 
now  retired  and  he  and  his  wife  are  residing  in  Cedar  Rapids.  Dr. 
Bailey  is  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  remained  at 
the  front  from  the  opening  of  hostilities  until  honorably  discharged 
after  the  close  of  the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  where  he  lost  an  arm. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hastings  have  three  children,  all  of  whom  are  stu- 
dents of  the  public  schools.  In  order  of  birth  they  are  as  fol- 
lows: Eugene,  who  is  fifteen  years  of  age;  Robert,  who  has 
passed  the  thirteenth  anniversary  of  his  birth ;  and  Catherine, 
who  is  looking  forward  to  her  tenth  birthday. 

Mrs.  Hastings  is  a  very  active  church  worker  and  has  been  of 
invaluable  assistance  to  her  husband  in  the  discharge  of  his  multi- 
tudinous duties.  She  is  a  mem1>er  of  the  Wahkonsa  Club,  and  is 
interested  in  promoting  the  intellectual  development  of  the  com- 
munity. The  political  views  of  Dr.  Hastings  coincide  with  the 
principles  of  the  republican  party,  but  he  very  often  casts  an  inde- 
pendent ballot  at  municipal  elections,  considering  that  it  is  more  a 
question  of  the  man  best  adapted  for  the  ofiice  than  of  political 
issues.  He  was  chosen  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of 
Coe  College  in  1902,  and  three  years  later  his  alma  mater  honored 
him  with  the  degree  of  doctor  of  divinity.  He  is  now  and  has  been 
for  some  time  secretary  of  the  Synodical  Board  of  Iowa  'Home 
Missions  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  he  has  held  other  positions 
of  responsibility  and  trust  in  connection  with  the  various  organiza- 
tions of  the  church.  Dr.  Hastings  has  acquired  much  more  than  a 
local  reputation  and  is  numbered  among  the  most  scholarly  and  able 
ministers  in  this  section  of  the  state. 


JOHX  D.  DWYER. 

The  present  mayor  of  Barnum  is  John  D.  Dwyer,  a  type  of 
public  official  who  is  a  force  in  the  growth  and  development  of 
the  community.  He  is  one  of  the  sterling  and  substantial  citizens 
of  Webster  county  and  for  many  years  was  successful  as  general 
agriculturist  and  stock-raiser,  although  he  has  now  definitely 
aliandoned  this  phase  of  occupation  and  has  taken  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Barnum,  where  he  has  a  comfortable  and  attractive 
lionic.     yiv.  Dwyer  was  born  in  Ireland.  February  14,  184T.  and  is 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  47 

a  son  of  Joliu  and  Johannah  {Dee)  Dwyer,  also  natives  of  the 
Emerald  isle.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  came  to  this  country 
m  1851,  settling-  first  in  Clinton  county,  New  York,  where  he 
bought  and  improved  a  farm  which  he  operated  until  the  end 
of  his  life.  He  died  in  June,  1863,  and  was  survived  by  his  wife 
until  1906,  when  she  died  at  the  age  of  ninety-three  years. 

John  Dwyer  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  native  country 
untd  he  was  ten  years  of  age,  completing  his  education  in  Ver- 
mont. After  laying  aside  his  books  he  learned  the  trade  of  car- 
pentering, working  at  that  occupation  for  a  number  of  years  in 
Xew  York,  Michigan,  Iowa  and  Illinois.  He  eventually  went  to 
Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  locating  in  that  city  in  1869.  Here  he  worked 
at  his  trade  until  1871,  when  he  went  to  Chicago,  Illinois,  on 
account  of  work  to  be  obtained  there,  as  result  of  the  great  fire. 
Here  he  followed  carpentering  for  two  years,  going  to  New  York 
at  the  end  of  that  time  and  spending  one  year  in  the  latter  city. 
He  then  returned  to  Webster  county,  where  he  bought  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Johnson  township,  to  which  he  later  added  at 
various  times  until  he  owned  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres. 
He  was  also  the  proprietor  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  in  South  Dakota.  For  fourteen  years  he  carried  on  general 
agricultural  pursuits  upon  a  tract  of  land  in  Webster  county  and 
met  with  a  gratifying  degree  of  success  at  that  occupation  and  at 
stock-raising,  which  he  subsequently  added  to  his  activities.  In 
1891,  however,  he  retired  and  moved  to  Barnum,  where  he  pur- 
chased thirty-seven  acres  of  town  property  and  upon  it  built  a 
beautiful  and  modern  home,  where  he  has  resided  since  that 
time.  He  is  interested  in  the  growth  and  development  of  the 
village  and  is  always  eager  to  do  his  part  in  promoting  it,  and  is 
ranked  among  the  progressive,  substantial  and  enterprising  cit- 
izens of  his  district. 

Mr.  Dwyer  was  married  in  October,  1875,  to  Miss  Mary  O'Neal, 
who  was  born  in  Troy,  New  York,  and  a  daughter  of  Timothy 
and  Honora  fRyan)  O'Neal,  natives  of  Ireland.  The  parents 
came  to  this  country  at  an  early  date  and  settled  in  Clinton 
county.  New  York,  where  the  father  farmed  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1871.  His  wife  survived  him  by  three  years.  They 
had  six  children  besides  the  wife  of  our  subject,  of  whom  all  grew 
to  maturity  and  two  sons  are  now  living.  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dwyer 
ha\e  two  daughters:  Alice  S.,  who  attended  St.  Joseph's  Acad- 
emy at  Des  Moines,  Iowa:  and  Mary  L.,  attending  Corpus  Christi 


48  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Academy  of  Fort  Dodge.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dwyer  are  well  known 
and  highly  respected  citizens  of  Barnum  and  are  highly  esteemed 
for  the  kindly  and  charitable  impulses  which  have  been  forces 
in  their  lives. 

Mr.  Dwyer  is  prominent  in  local  republican  politics.  He  served 
as  assessor  of  Johnson  township  for  four  terms  and  also  as  trus- 
tee and  school  director.  He  was  elected  mayor  of  Barnum  in 
1909  and  is  still  serving,  discharging  his  duties  in  a  prompt  and 
capable  manner,  which  has  won  him  uniform  commendation  and 
approval.  All  movements  which  tend  to  promote  the  public  wel- 
fare receive  his  sanction  and  support  and  he  stands  as  one  of 
the  progressive  residents  of  the  city. 


A.  J.  EKFELT. 

A.  J.  Ekfelt,  who  lives  retired  in  Burnside,  has  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  of  Burnside  township  for  eighteen  years.  He  was  born 
in  the  central  part  of  Sweden,  April  18,  1835.  He  there  received  a 
practical  education  and  in  1868,  with  his  family,  came  to  America, 
making  his  way  direct  to  Iowa  and  locating  in  Des  Aloines.  In  that 
citv  he  worked  by  the  day  for  ten  years  and  then  remo\ed  to  Day- 
ton, Iowa,  and  engaged  in  fanning  for  about  eleven  years.  Subse- 
quently he  came  to  Burnside  township,  locating  west  of  Burnside, 
on  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  lanil,  and  residing  there 
until  1908,  when  he  sold  the  farm  and  retired  to  the  town  of  Burn- 
side. where  he  now  lives.  His  son  resides  on  the  old  home  farm. 
Mr.  Ekfelt  was  very  successful  in  farming  and  is.  therefore,  enjoying 
a  comfortable  competence. 

In  Sweden  Mr.  Ekfelt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
Carlson,  a  native  of  that  country,  and  they  have  become  the  parents 
of  four  children :  .\ndrew,  of  Burnside,  and  Ellen,  of  Des  Moines, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Sweden:  and  Henry  and  Emil,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  Des  Moines.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Ekfelt 
is  a  republican  and  he  has  served  on  several  occasions  as  juryman 
at  Fort  Dodge.  Iowa.  For  the  past  eighteen  years  he  has  been 
justice  of  the  peace  of  Burnside  tnwnshii).  He  has  ever  taken  an 
active  and  help^jil  interest  in  educational  advancement  and  for 
sixteen  years  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Burnside  town- 
ship.    F'raternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  49 

Odd  Fellows  at  Kalo,  Iowa.  Mr.  Ekfelt  has  resided  in  tliis  coun- 
try for  more  than  forty-four  years  and  throughout  that  time  has 
been  an  active,  helpful  and  hislily  honored  citizen,  who  well 
deserves  mention  in  this  volume. 


BERT  BL.VIXE  BURNQUIST. 

Bert  Blaine  Burnquist  is  well  known  as  an  able  lawxer  and  his 
name  is  also  on  the  roster  of  county  officials  for  in  the  fall  of 
1910  he  was  elected  to  the  position  of  county  attorney.  Webster 
county  claims  him  as  one  of  her  native  sons,  his  birth  having 
occurred  in  Dayton  on  the  ist  of  May,  1884.  His  parents  were 
Samuel  and  Caroline  (Peterson)  Burncjuist,  both  of  whom  were 
natives  of  Sweden.  The  former  was  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Cath- 
arine A.  Burnquist,  farming  people  of  Sweden,  who.  on  coming 
to  the  new  world  settled  in  Dayton,  Iowa,  where  both  passed 
away,  the  former  reaching  the  age  of  four  score  years,  while 
the  latter  was  eighty-seven  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  her  demise. 
They  had  two  sons,  John  A.  and  Samuel.  The  latter  was  a  lad 
of  twelve  or  thirteen  years  when  the  family  sailed  to  the  United 
States,  and  after  living  for  a  time  in  Illinois  became  a  resident  of 
Iowa.  He  spent  a  few  years  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Dayton 
and  then,  turned  his  attention  to  general  merchandising,  which 
he  followed  in  Dayton  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  passed  away 
m  1895  '^t  the  age  of  forty-five  years,  and  his  wife  is  still  sur- 
viving him,  and  makes  her  home  in  Fort  Dodge.  She  holds 
membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  to  which  her  husband  also 
belonged.  At  the  time  of  his  death  Sanniel  Burn(|uist  was  a 
member  (jf  the  Iowa  legislature.  His  interest  in  public  affairs 
ever  was  that  of  a  citizen  who  stood  for  progress  and  improve- 
ment. In  early  manhood  he  wedded  Caroline  Peterson,  a  native 
of  Sweden,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  two  sons  who  reached 
adult  age,  Samuel  A.  and  Bert  B.  .\fter  the  death  of  her  first 
husband  Mrs.  Burnquist  married  Frank  .^.  Dowd,  but  she  is  again 
a  widow.  She  is  a  daughter  of  S.  P.  and  Mary  Peterson,  natives 
of  Sweden.  Her  father  engaged  in  farming  nnlil  lie  retired  from 
business  activities  in  his  later  years.  He  came  with  his  family 
to  Iowa  about  1866  and  died  in  Dayton  at  the  age  of  eighty-one. 
while  his  \\'ifc  passed  awav  at  the  age  n(  seventy  years.     They 


50  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

had  six  cliiklren :  Charles;  John  P.;  Jonas;  Caroline;  Ida,  who 
married  Henry  Oleson ;  and  ]\Iary,  who  died  in  early  life. 

Bert  B.  Burnquist  was  reared  in  Dajton,  Iowa,  and  in  1898 
came  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  at- 
tended the  public  schools  in  both  cities  and  was  graduated  from 
the  Fort  Dodge  high  school  with  the  class  of  1901.  Desirous 
of  entering  upon  a  professional  career  he  recognized  the  fact 
that  the  first  step  in  that  direction  w'as  the  acquirement  of  a  still 
broader  education  and  accordingly  he  entered  the  University  of 
Iowa,  completing  a  course  in  the  collegiate  department  in  1905. 
He  was  graduated  from  the  law  school  in  1907  and  in  the  same 
}"ear  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  after  which  he  opened  an  office  in 
Fort  Dodge,  where  he  has  since  practiced.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
law-  firm,  Healy,  Burnquist  &  Thomas.  He  prepares  his  cases 
with  thoroughness  and  care  and  has  won  favorable  criticism  for 
the  systematic  methods  which  he  uses.  In  the  fall  of  1910  he  was 
elected  county  attorney  and  he  is  still  acting  in  that  capacity.  He 
has  business  interests  aside  from  his  profession,  being  a  director 
of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  of  Dayton,  the  secretary  of  the  Iowa 
Grocer}-  Company,  wholesalers,  and  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  two 
luuidrcd  and  fortv  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  in  Boone 
county.  Iowa.  His  judgment  in  financial,  commercial  and  agri- 
cultural affairs  is  accurate  and  the  analytical  turn  of  his  mind 
enables  him  readily  to  understand  the  features  of  every  situation, 
business  or  otherwise. 

Bert  Blaine  Burnquist  belongs  to  Ashley  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. : 
Delta  Chapter.  R.  A.  M. ;  Calvary  Commandery.  K.  T, ;  and  Za- 
Ga-Zig  Tcniiilc  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine.  He  is  also 
connected  with  the  .\ncieiU  Order  of  I'nited  ^\'clrkmen  and  with 
the  Red  Men  and  his  political  allegiance  has  been  gi\-en  to  the 
republican  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of 
franchise. 


ARM. WIS  FREY  PATTOX. 

'I'lic  n.iine  of  Patton  is  recognized  and  honored  in  e\ery  com- 
munity where  representatives  of  the  same  settled  and  it  is  highly 
esteemed  because  each  succeeding  generation  has  upheld  the 
traditions   and   standards   which    have    made    their   lives   upright 


'   HISTORY  OF  WEUSTER  COUNTY  51 

■and  their  characters  worthy.  At  the  present  time  Armanis  Frey 
Patton  is  living  in  Gowrie,  where  he  is  well  known  as  a  journalist 
and  business  man.  The  family  record  begins  with  Robert  Pat- 
ton,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania 
in  iSiS  and  who  emigrated  to  Ohio  with  his  parents  when  he  was 
still  a  boy.  A  short  time  afterward  his  father  died  and  he  was 
obliged  to  earn  his  own  living.  He  chose  the  blacksmith's  trade 
for  his  life  work  and  followed  it  for  a  number  of  years.  When 
the  Ci\il  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  at  Belle  Center,  Ohio,  in 
Company  D,  Forty-Fifth  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served 
until  June  12,  1865,  when  he  was  mustered  out  at  Camp  Harker, 
Tennessee.  He  was  with  Wolford's  cavalry  on  the  famous  Mor- 
gan raid  and  helped  in  the  capture  of  Morgan.  He  was  also 
present  at  the  siege  of  Kno.xville,  Tennessee,  and  served  during 
the  Atlanta  campaign.  He  married  for  the  first  time  Miss  Martha 
Hull,  a  daughter  of  Nathaniel  and  Nancy  (Wyat)  Hull,  of  Waldo, 
Marion  county,  Ohio.  To  this  union  were  born  thirteen  children: 
E\-aline,  Nathaniel  Hull,  William  Henry  Harrison,  James  Elias, 
Emily,  Elizabeth,  Murry  Buck,  Ellen,  Emaline,  Charles,  Emma, 
Martha,  and  one  who  was  born  dead.  Mrs.  Patton  died  at 
Bloom  field,  Ohio,  June  8,  1856,  when  she  was  thirty-seven  years 
of  age. 

The  fourth  child  born  to  Robert  Patton  and  his  wife,  James 
Elias  Patton,  was  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  He 
was  born  in  W'aldo,  Marion  county,  Ohio,  April  28,  1841,  and 
moved  with  his  parents  when  he  was  three  years  of  age  to  Wood- 
Ijury,  Ohio,  whence  three  or  four  years  later  they  went  to  Bloom- 
field,  ^Morrow  county,  in  the  same  state.  When  he  was  about 
twelve  years  of  age  he  began  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade  from 
his  father  and  continued  to  work  at  his  chosen  occu])ali()n  until 
after  he  moved  to  Centerville,  Ohio.  On  April  18,  tX()I,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  G,  Third  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Columbus, 
for  ninety  days.  Through  some  misunderstanding  with  the  colonel 
of  the  regiment  he  was  sent  home  on  a  thirty  day  furlougli  to 
await  his  discharge  and  during  this  period  joined  the  regular 
army,  being  the  second  man  to  enlist  in  the  Eighteenth  l"nited 
States  Regulars,  being  mustered  in  July  9,  1861.  He  served  two 
terms  as  a  member  of  this  regiment  and  received  his  final  dis- 
charge at  Fort  Saimders,  Dakota  territory,  October  5,  1S67.  He 
was  out  of  the  service  from  July  9,  1864.  to  October  5th  of  the 
same  vear.    He  participated  in  many  of  the  ])rincipal  engagements 


52  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

of  the  Civil  war,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  those  of  Mill 
Springs,  Kentucky;  the  siege  of  Corinth;  the  battles  of  Houver 
Gap  (Tennessee),  Stone  River,  Chickamauga,  Missionary^  Ridge; 
and  all  the  battles  of  the  Atlanta  campaign,  which  occurred  be- 
fore the  army  got  within  nine  miles  of  the  city.  After  the  battle 
of  Pumpkin  Vine  Ridge.  Georgia,  which  occurred  May  29,  1864, 
he  was  promoted  to  tiie  rank  of  sergeant  major  and  twice  given 
special  mention  in  the  official  records  for  Ijravery.  His  first  term 
of  enlistment  expired  in  1864,  and  on  October  5th  of  the  same 
year  he  reenlisted  in  the  same  regiment,  spending  the  first  year 
drilling  recruits.  During  the  following  winter  he  was  appointed 
quartermaster  sergeant  for  the  Third  Battalion  and  stayed  at 
regimental  headquarters  at  Columbus.  From  here,  on  Octoi)er 
19.  1865,  he  went  to  Fort  Kearney,  Nebraska,  and  was  there  ap- 
pointed post  sergeant  piajor  and  in  the  same  year  was  advanced 
to  the  position  of  ordnance  sergeant  of  the  post.  He  was  sta- 
tioned successively  at  Fort  Leavenworth.  Kansas,  and  at  Camp 
Douglas,  Utah,  where  he  served  as  ordnance  sergeant  until  April, 
when  the  Third  Battalion  of  the  Eleventh  United  States  Infantry 
was  made  into  the  Thirty-Sixth  United  States  Infantry,  at  the 
reorganization  of  the  army  at  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was 
stationed  with  liis  regiment  at  Fort  Saunders.  Dakota  territory, 
and  there  remained  until  Octoljer  5,  1867.  when  he  received  his 
final  discharge  as  quartermaster  sergeant. 

On  returning  to  Bloomfield.  Ohio,  he  rode  over  the  first  five 
hundred  miles  of  tlic  I'nion  I'acific  Railroad.  After  iiis  arrival  in 
the  city  he  went  to  work  at  the  blacksmitli's  trade  and  ren^ained 
in  Bloomfield  until  March  i,  1868.  when  lie  went  to  Buford.  in  l!ie 
same  state,  where  he  again  worked  at  his  chosen  occupation. 
From  Buford  he  went  to  Council  Bluffs  and  from  there  to  ^lace- 
donia,  Iowa,  wliere  he  started  a  blacksmith  shop  on  May  18.  iSj.^. 
He  still  resides  in  this  city  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful men  of  his  community.  He  and  his  family  have  lived  in 
Macedonia  continuously  since  the  time  of  his  original  settlement. 
A  short  period  was.  Iiowever.  spent  traveling  in  the  Black  Hills  and 
in  Yellowstone  Park.  He  is  now  living  retired.  He  married 
December  16,  1868,  Miss  Mary  Ellen  Frey,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  seven  children:  Martha  Ann  May,  who  was  born  at 
Buford,  Ohio,  October  18,  1869;  Fredrick  Elmer,  bom  in  the 
same  city,  September  6,  1872;  Albert  Edgar,  born  in  Buford, 
April    5,    1874;    Armanis    I'rcy.   of   this    re\iew:    twin    l)Ovs.    who 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  53 

were  born  in  Macedonia,  Iowa,  November  3,  1882,  and  who  died 
the  same  day;  and  Edna  Emma,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Mace- 
donia, June  22,  1885. 

Armanis  Frey  Patton  \vas  reared  at  home  and  the  first  lesson 
which  he  learned  from  his  parents  was  that  of  the  value  of  hard 
work.  While  he  was  not  obliged  to  remain  out  of  school  and 
work  for  his  living  he  was  taught  that  honest  toil  was  the  greatest 
blessing  of  mankind.  During  the  vacations  he  was  given  odd 
jobs  and  was  responsible  to  his  parents  for  the  capable  perform- 
ance of  his  duties.  He  learned  how  to  sympathize  with  the  boy 
who  has  to  ride  the  lead  horse  in  the  harvest  field,  or  hoe  weeds 
in  the  cornfield,  because  many  times  he  did  this  work  for  his 
farmer  friends  at  fifty  cents  a  day.  However,  his  education  was 
not  neglected.  He  finished  the  grade  departments  in  the  district 
schools  and  was  one  of  the  first  class  to  graduate  from  the  Mace- 
donia high  school,  there  being  only  two  to  finish  the  course 
mapped  out  by  the  school  board  that  year.  His  classmate,  who 
graduated  with  him,  was  Lillian  B.  Ashley,  and  the  exercises  took 
place  June  29,  1893,  with  the  principal.  Miss  Olive  A.  Benn, 
presiding. 

Before  his  graduation  Mr.  Patton  began  to  learn  the  printer's 
trade  in  the  home  office,  working  nights,  mornings  and  Satur- 
days, and  since  that  time  has  followed  that  business  as  his  chosen 
occupation.  On  November  26,  1894,  he  left  Macedonia  for  Day- 
ton, and  began  work  on  the  Dayton  Review,  under  J.  G.  Durell, 
who  at  that  time  owned  and  published  the  paper.  He  retained 
this  position  until  February  i,  1898,  when  he  in  partnership  with 
Emory  A.  Rolfe,  principal  of  the  Dayton  public  schools,  purchased 
the  plant  and  began  operating  the  newspaper.  On  October  12, 
1899,  they  expanded  their  interests  by  purchasing  the  Gowrie 
News  and  conducted  both  papers  under  the  name  of  Patton  & 
Rolfe.  Mr.  Rolfe  remained  in  Dayton  to  take  charge  of  the 
affairs  of  the  Review  and  Mr.  Patton  moved  to  Gowrie  to  look 
after  the  interests  of  the  News.  This  partnership  continued  until 
June  I,  1900,  when  it  was  dissolved,  Mr.  Rolfe  taking  full  control 
of  the  Dayton  paper  and  Mr.  Patton  retaining  the  Gowrie  News. 

On  April  22,  1898,  Mr.  Patton  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  Adella  Vederstrom,  who  was  born  at  Norrkoping,  Sweden, 
April  29,  1879.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Oscar  and  Christine  Veder- 
strom, and  she  came  to  this  country  with  her  widowed  mother 
when  she  was  only  three  years  of  age.    She  has  one  brother.  Axel 


54  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

W.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  heating  and  pkimbing  business  at  Mar- 
athon, Iowa.  Mrs.  Patton  received  a  good  common-school  educa- 
tion and  was  graduated  from  the  Dayton  public  school,  June  29, 
1896.  z'Vfterward  she  taught  in  the  Webster  county  schools  until 
her  marriage.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patton  have  four  children :  Lorimer 
Lee,  who  was  born  May  9,  1900,  attending  district  school ;  Rudolph 
Frey,  who  was  born  May  26,  1902,  and  who  is  attending  the  same 
school;  Murray  James  William,  who  was  born  October  23,  1904, 
and  who  died  August  6,  1905;  and  Harris  Elric,  born  March  24, 
1909.  The  family  belong  J.o  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of 
Gowrie. 

Mr.  Patton  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles  of  the  city,  holding 
membership  in  Rose  Lodge,  No.  506,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  in  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  also  well  known  in  the 
afifairs  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  belongs  to 
Myrtle  Lodge,  No.  330,  Knights  of  Pythias.  Inheriting  the 
honorable  and  worthy  qualities  of  a  long  line  of  sturdy,  determined 
and  forceful  men,  he  has  worked  out  an  honorable  destiny  and 
accomplished  a  worthy  success.  Influenced  by  their  traditions 
and  principles  he  has  ever  adhered  to  the  standards  of  unflinching 
integrity  and  stanch  loyalty,  liy  which  they  molded  their  upright 
lives  and  his  career  has  added  luster  to  an  honorerl  name. 


MICH.\EL  D.  GURXETT. 

Michael  D.  Gurnett  is  a  native  son  of  Iowa  and  his  lather  was  a 
pioneer  in  its  development.  Our  subject  has  been  a  resilient  of  Web- 
ster county  since  1896,  where  for  a  time  he  was  successful  as  an 
active  agriculturist,  being  still  an  extensive  owner  of  farm  lands. 
He  is  now  operating  a  large  grain  elevator  in  Barnum  and  has  made 
his  energy,  detemiination  and  enterprise  the  basis  of  a  distinct  and 
substantial  success.  He  was  born  in  Linn  county,  Iowa,  March  22, 
1873,  and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Ellen  (Martin)  Gurnett,  natives 
of  Ireland.  His  father  came  to  America  in  1850  and  located  in  La 
Salle,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  as  a  railroad  brakeman  for  three 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  moved  to  Linn  county,  Iowa,  where 
he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  paying  six  dollars 
per  acre.  He  operated  and  improved  this  farm  for  three  years  and 
sold  it  at  the  end  of  that  time  for  twelve  dollars  per  acre.     He  later 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  55 

purchased  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  at  six  dollars,  adding  to  his 
holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  owned  a  large  tract  of  highly 
cultivated  land,  comprising  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  con- 
tinued to  be  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  upon  this  property  until 
1909,  when  he  retired  from  active  life  and  moved  to  the  vicinity  of 
Fairfax,  where  he  is  making  his  home  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Frank 
Cahill.     His  wife  passed  away  in  1904. 

^Michael  D.  Gurnett  was  reared  at  home  and  was  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Fairfax,  Linn  county,  graduating  with  the  class 
of  1893.  For  three  years  afterward  he  aided  his  father  in  the 
work  of  the  farm,  coming  eventually  to  Webster  county,  where  he 
rented  land  three  miles  north  of  Barnum  in  Johnson  township, 
which  he  operated  and  developed  for  three  years.  In  1899  he 
abandoned  agricultural  pursuits  and  moved  into  Barnum,  where 
he  purchased  a  grain  elevator  which  he  has  operated  ever  since. 
He  now  has  one  of  the  most  prosperous  commercial  undertakings 
in  the  village.  He  has  won  his  success  by  close  attention  to  busi- 
ness, earnest  labor  and  practical  application  of  his  business  knowl- 
edg-e.  He  has  made  about  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  the  past  six- 
teen years  and  has  invested  his  money  judiciously,  being  num- 
bered among  the  substantia!  and  representative  citizens  of  the 
district.  He  owns  four  hundred  and  forty-four  acres  of  highlv 
improved  land  in  Johnson  and  Jackson  townships,  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  in  South  Dakota  and  a  fine  home  in  Barnum,  in 
which  he  resides,  beside  business  property  in  this  village. 

On  October  22,  1902,  Mr.  Gurnett  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Condon,  a  daughter  of  David  and  Ellen  (Reid)  Condon, 
natives  of  Ireland.  Mrs.  Gurnett's  parents  reside  at  No.  1321  Second 
a\enue.  South,  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Gurnett  is  a  consistent  republican 
and  has  served  as  town  treasurer  of  Barnum  with  ability.  He  is  a 
stockholder  in  the  Corn  Belt  Package  Company  of  Fort  Dodge  and 
in  the  Barnum  Telephone  Company.  He  belongs  to  the  Roman 
Catholic  church  and  holds  membership  in  the  Knights  of  Columlnis 
and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  is  firm  in  his  faith  in 
the  future  of  the  middle  western  states  and  believes  that  the  greatest 
opportunity  offered  to  the  young  man  of  today  is  to  acquire  land  in 
this  section,  predicting  that  property  in  ^^'ebster  county  will  sell 
within  the  next  ten  years  at  three  hundred  dollars  per  acre.  Mr. 
Gurnett  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  real-estate  values  and  engages 
to  some  extent  along  this  line,  buying  and  selling  farm  lands.     He 


56.  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

has  a  record  of  sixteen  years  continuous  identification  with  b'  ness 
in  Barnum  and  is  numbered  among  the  progressive,  enterprismj,  and 
modern  men  of  his  section.  He  has  all  the  qualifications  of  energy, 
buoyancy  and  public  spirit  and  his  personal  achievements  are  an 
addition  to  the  resources  of  the  community  in  which  he  resides,  not 
only  as  owner  of  an  important  undertaking  but  also  in  the  qualities 
and  standards  of  citizenship  he  possesses.  His  labors  have  been  con- 
stantly constructive  and  ha\e  had  practical  results. 


WILLIAM  L.  NICHOLSON,  M  D. 

The  late  Dr.  \\  illiam  L.  Nicholson  was  not  only  one  of  the 
pioneers  of  Fort  Dodge,  but  had  the  additional  distinction  of 
being  the  second  physician  to  locate  in  the  city.  He  was  born 
in  County  Tipperary,  Ireland,  on  September  25,  1832,  and  was  a 
son  of  Robert  and  Mary  (Blundon)  Nicholson,  the  father  a 
nati\e  of  England,  but  the  mother  of  French  extraction.  In  the 
paternal  line  Dr.  Nicholson  was  a  descendant  of  the  Danish 
knigiit,  Ralph  Nikelsen,  whose  valiant  service  at  Hastings  caused 
William,  Duke  of  Normandy,  and  subsequently  king  of  England, 
to  bestow  upon  him  a  large  land  grant  in  England,  a  coat  of  arms 
and  a  crest.  This  was  a  lion  rampant  surmounting  a  shield  bear- 
ing three  suns,  two  bars  ermine  and  three  bars  azure  with  the 
motto  "Fide  et  Honore."  His  descendant,  Robert  Nikelsen 
accompanied  Henry  III.  to  Ireland  on  his  first  invasion  of  that 
country,  but  the  Nikelsen  family  did  not  permanently  settle  in 
Ireland  until  1645.  I"  the  latter  year  Robert  Nickolson,  a  captain 
of  horse  in  the  army  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  was  given  a  large  land 
grant  in  Counties  Tipperary  and  Waterford  by  Cromwell,  and 
the  family  thereafter  resided  on  the  Emerald  isle. 

The  eldest  son  of  his  parents,  Dr.  Nicholson  was  reared  on  the 
family  estate  in  Ireland.  He  inherited  pronounced  scholarly  in- 
stincts, which  were  further  developed  by  early  environment  and 
associations.  His  education  was  begun  in  the  schools  of  \\'ater- 
ford  and  at  the  age  of  seven  he  had  a  very  good  knowledge  of 
Latin.  He  attended  various  private  schools,  among  them  a  col- 
lege located  on  his  father's  estate,  until  old  enough  to  enter 
Trinity  College  at  Dublin,  from  which  institution  he  was  grad- 
uated with  honors.    Later  he  entered  the  University  of  Glasgow 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  59 

and  pursued  a  professional  course,  being  graduated  with  the 
degree  of  M.  B.  in  1852.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  he  left 
his  native  land  and  came  to  America,  locating  in  Canada.  Two 
years  later,  in  1855,  he  crossed  the  border  into  the  United  States, 
settling  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa.  As  this  country  was  very  sparsely 
settled  at  that  time,  there  was  little  demand  for  the  services 
of  a  physician,  so  he  turned  his  attention  to  teaching  and  for  a 
time  conducted  a  private  school  here.  As  the  country  became 
better  settled  he  withdrew  from  teaching  and  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  On  the  i6th  of  August,  1862,  he  en- 
listed as  a  private  in  Company  E,  Thirty-second  Iowa  Volun- 
teer Infantry  at  Fort  Dodge  under  Captain  J.  Hutchisson  and 
Colonel  Scott.  At  Davenport  on  the  6th  of  Octoljer,  he  was 
promoted  to  the  office  of  second  lieutenant  and  in  December  of 
the  same  year  he  was  appointed  to  the  medical  corps  as  assistant 
surgeon  of  the  Twenty-ninth  regiment  of  the  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry  under  Colonel  Benton.  He  was  subsequently  made 
chief  surgeon  with  the  rank  of  major.  He  took  part  in  the  White 
River  expedition  in  January,  1863,  and  that  of  the  Yazoo  Pass  in 
the  following  February.  He  likewise  participated  in  the  battle 
at  Helena,  Arkansas,  on  July  4:  Bayou  Meto,  August  27;  and 
Little  Rock,  September  10.  He  was  also  at  Terre  Noire  on  the 
2d  of  April,  1864;  Elkins  Ford,  April  4;  Prairie  d'Anne,  April 
10  and  12;  Camden,  April  16;  and  Jenkins  Ferry,  April  30.  At 
the  latter  point.  Dr.  Nicholson  was  taken  prisoner,  but  his  re- 
lease was  soon  effected  through  an  exchange  of  prisoners.  Soon 
thereafter  he  obtained  a  thirty  days  furlough,  which  he  passed 
at  Fort  Dodge,  rejoining  his  regiment  on  the  31st  of  December, 
1864.  He  was  stationed  at  Mobile,  Alabama,  from  March  17 
to  April  9.  1865,  and  took  part  in  the  assault  on  Spanish  Fort, 
Alabama,  April  8.  He  was  present  at  Fort  Blakely  on  the  9th 
of  April  and  at  Mobile  on  the  r2th  of  that  month,  while  he  was 
in  the  Texas  campaign  until  July.  1865.  On  the  loth  of  August 
he  was  mustered  out  at  New  Orleans,  receiving  his  honorable  dis- 
charge on  the  19th  of  the  September,  following.  Upon  his  return 
to  Fort  Dodge,  he  resumed  his  practice,  continuing  to  be  actively 
identified  with  his  profession  until  his  death.  He  was  a  very 
progressive  man  and  kept  in  close  touch  with  the  development  of 
his  profession,  and  in  1882  he  pursued  a  post-graduate  course  in 
Des  Moines.  The  year  following  together  with  R.  W.  Crawford 
he  opened  a  drug  store  here,  but  the  heavy  exactions  of  his  prac- 


60  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

lice  made  it  impossible  for  him  to  engage  in  any  business  activi- 
ties, so  he  soon  withdrew  from  this.  For  four  years  prior  to  his 
death,  Dr.  Nicholson  was  in  very  poor  health,  suffering  very 
much  at  times  from  hay  fever.  He  was  a  man  of  remarkable 
versatility,  and  his  well  stored  mind,  ready  wit  and  brilliant  con- 
versational powers  made  him  a  delightful  companion.  He  was 
very  fond  of  nature  and  although  the  exactions  of  his  profession 
gave  him  very  little  outside  time  he  contributed  many  able  and 
scholarly  articles  to  the  "American  F^ield."  A  lover  of  music 
and  poetry  and  in  fact  all  of  the  arts,  he  had  an  extensive  acquaint- 
ance with  the  literature  of  practically  all  nations  and  was  a  poet 
himself  of  considerable  ability. 

Dr.  Nicholson  was  twice  married,  his  first  union  was  with  Miss 
Anna  J.  Leonard  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  on  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber, 1865,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  one  son,  \V.  L.  Nichol- 
son, who  is  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  El  Paso,  Texas. 
She  passed  away  on  the  15th  of  January,  1875,  and  on  the  27th  of 
November,  1876,  the  Doctor  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  L.  Sher- 
man, a  native  of  County  Roscommon,  Ireland.  Mrs.  Nicholson 
is  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Ann  (Comyns)  Sherman,  both 
natives  of  Ireland,  but  the  mother  was  of  Scotch  extraction,  w  liiJe 
the  paternal  ancestors  were  Irish.  Botli  Mr.  .md  Mrs.  .Sherman 
died  in  their  native  land,  and  while  still  in  her  early  childhood 
!Mrs.  Nicholson  was  brought  to  the  United  States,  and  later 
became  a  resident  of  Fort  Dodge,  where  she  was  married.  One 
daughter,  Anna,  was  born  to  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Nicholson.  She  early 
manifested  marked  musical  ability  and  was  given  the  advantage 
of  studying  under  the  best  teachers  in  this  country,  after  which  she 
went  abroad  and  was  graduated  from  the  Conservatory  of  Leip- 
sic.  She  studied  under  several  eminent  masters  elsewhere  and 
upon  her  return  to  Fort  Dodge  opened  a  studio  and  has  ever  since 
been  engaged  in  teaching.  Mrs.  Nicholson  and  her  daughter 
hve  at  827  Second  avenue.  South,  which  has  been  the  family  resi- 
dence for  many  years. 

Dr.  Nicholson  was  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  as  likewise  are  his  widow  and  daugliter.  and  he  was  an 
honored  member  of  Fort  Donelson  Post,  No.  236,  G.  A.  R.  of 
Fort  Dodge.  In  politics  he  was  a  democrat,  and  served  for  one 
term  as  city  clerk.  Immediately  after  the  close  of  the  war  he 
was  pension  examiner,  being  one  of  the  first  appointed  to  this 
ofificc,  and  he  held  the  same  position  during  President  Cleveland's 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  61 

administration.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Catholic  Mutual  Ben- 
efit Association  and  for  many  years  was  examining  physician 
of  this  organization,  while  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  he  was 
surgeon  for  all  of  the  railroads  running  into  Fort  Dodge.  He 
maintained  relations  with  the  other  members  of  his  profession 
through  the  medium  of  his  connection  with  the  county,  district 
and  state  medical  societies,  and  for  some  years  was  president  of 
the  District  Medical  Society.  He  enjoyed  the  regard  and  esteem 
of  a  large  circle  of  friends,  many  of  whom  he  had  known  from 
the  time  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  has  left  behind  him  the  memory  of 
a  bright,  genial,  kindly,  helpful  nature,  whose  ready  sympathy 
and  encouraging  word  won  him  the  confidence  and  good-will  of 
both  young  and  old.  He  passed  away  on  the  nth  of  November, 
1890. 


JOHN  TODD. 


John  Todd,  who  has  lived  in  honorable  retirement  at  Otho  for  the 
past  eight  years,  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  farming  and  min- 
ing in  this  county,  winning  success  in  both  activities.  His  birth  oc- 
curred in  \\'isconsin  on  the  ist  of  January,  1844,  his  parents  being 
William  and  Mary  (Warton)  Todd,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
England.  The  father  worked  as  a  miner  in  that  country  until  1843, 
when  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Illinois.  After 
a  short  time,  however,  he  removed  to  Wisconsin,  working  in  the  lead 
mines  of  that  state  until  1849.  In  that  year  he  drove  across  the  coun- 
try to  California  and  spent  a  year  at  work  in  the  gold  mines.  On 
the  journey  back  to  Wisconsin  he  became  ill,  dving  in  New  York  in 
1850.     The  demise  of  his  wife  occurred  in   iNS(). 

John  Todd  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  state  and  after 
putting  aside  his  text-books  began  working  in  the  lead  mines.  In  1862 
when  a  youth  of  eighteen,  he  left  his  widowed  mother  in  order  to 
join  the  boys  in  blue,  becommg  a  member  of  Company  F,  Twen- 
tieth Wisconsin  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  command  he  re- 
mained until  the  close  of  hostilities  between  the  north  and  the  south. 
When  the  country  no  longer  needed  his  military  aid  he  returned  to 
\\'isconsin  and  there  worked  in  the  mines  until  1869.  In  that  vear 
he  came  to  Webster  county,  Iowa,  locating  in  Otho  townshi[),  where 
he  was  employed  at  digging  coal.     At  the  end  of  the  year,  however. 


62  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

he  returned  to  Wisconsin,  continuing  to  reside  in  that  state  for 
seven  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  again  came  to 
this  county  and  once  more  began  mining  here.  Subsequently  he 
purchased  thirty-two  acres  of  land  and  began  mining  coal  on  his  own 
account,  later  also  carrying  on  fanning.  He  operated  his  thirty- 
two  acre  tract  and  likewise  cultivated  rented  land.  The  pursuits  of 
mining  and  farming  claimed  his  attention  until  1904,  when  he  took  up 
his  al)ode  in  Otho.  where  he  owns  a  handsome  residence  and  two 
lots  and  where  he  has  since  lived  in  honorable  retirement.  He  still 
owns  his  farm  of  thirty-two  acres,  situated  three-fourths  of  a  mile 
from  Otho.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Com- 
pany of  Otho  and  lias  long  been  numbered  among  the  substantial 
and  esteemed  citizens  of  the  community. 

On  the  loth  of  March,  1866,  Mr.  Todd  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Lucy  Shipley,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Maria  (Watson) 
Shipley,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  England.  Thomas  Shipley. 
w  ho  followed  mining  in  that  country,  emigrated  to  the  United  States 
in  1856,  locating  in  Wisconsin,  wliere  he  worked  in  the  mines  until 
seventy  years  of  age.  His  demise  occurred  in  that  state  in  March, 
1896,  while  his  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  Septemljer,  1907. 
To  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Todd  were  born  nine  children,  as  follows :  Eva : 
Cora ;  Agnes ;  Emma ;  Gertrude ;  Laura ;  Thomas ;  Floyd :  and 
W^illiam,  who  passed  away  in   1869. 

John  Todd  is  a  stanch  republican,  while  his  religious  faitii  is  that 
of  the  Methodist  church.  His  life,  lived  in  accordance  with  high 
principles  and  spent  in  useful  endea\or.  has  been  of  valuable  ser- 
vice to  the  community  and  makes  him  deserving  of  the  res[)ect  he 
enjoys. 


S.   K.  E.  AXDERSOX. 


S.  R.  E.  Anderson,  who  is  one  of  the  successful  business  men 
of  Gowrie,  is  a  native  of  this  city,  born  May  13,  1877.  His  par- 
ents were  A.  E.  and  Sophie  (Anderson)  Anderson,  natives  of 
Sweden.  The  father  came  to  America  in  1866,  locating  at  Gales- 
burg,  Illinois,  and  later  removed  to  Chicago.  He  afterward  came 
to  Gowrie,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Clay  township  of  this  county,  where 
he  resided  until  he  died.  His  wife,  Sophie  (.\nderson)  Ander- 
son is  still  living.      In  tiieir   familv  were  nine  children:      Ellen,   the 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  63 

wife  of  G.  B.  Steinlean  of  Gowrie;  S.  R.  E.,  of  this  review;  E. 
B.  of  Fort  Dodge;  Ella,  the  wife  of  Albert  Swan  of  Marshalltown ; 
Teckla,  who  is  now  Mrs.  France  Johnson  of  Gowrie;  Constant,  who 
is  engaged  in  farming;  Hilma,  a  student  of  Drake  University,  at 
Des  Moines ;  and  Antonia  and  Edith,  both  of  w  honi  are  at  home. 

S.  R.  E.  Anderson  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  graduating 
from  high  school  when  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age.  He  afterward 
completed  a  normal-school  course.  Subsequently  he  started  in  the 
restaurant  business  in  Gowrie  in  which  he  remained  for  four  years. 
Later  he  became  connected  with  the  Andrew  Wood  firm,  dealers  in 
general  produce,  remaining  with  them  until  1907.  He  then  took 
charge  of  the  prQduce-commission  business  for  Swift  &  Company  of 
Chicago,  with  whom  he  has  since  been  actively  connected.  He  buys 
poultry,  eggs,  butter  and  cream  and  has  a  large  and  remunerative 
trade.  Mr.  Anderson  has  been  very  successful  in  his  financial  affairs 
and  owns  a  fine  residence  here. 

In  February,  1899,  Mr.  Anderson  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  E. 
Nelson,  who  was  born  in  Dubuque,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  August  Nel- 
son, a  resident  of  Gowrie.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Anderson  ha\e  been 
born  four  children,  Gulhar,  ]\Iedford,  Raymond,  and  Ardella,  all  of 
whom  are  at  home.  In  his  political  views  S.  R.  E.  Anderson  is  repub- 
lican and  he  has  ever  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the 
community.  He  and  all  the  members  of  his  family  belong  to  the 
Lutheran  church.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Yeomen  and 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  at  Gowrie.  Having  always  resided 
in  this  town  Mr.  Anderson  is  well  known  here  and  his  upright  life 
and  honest  business  methods  have  won  for  him  the  high  regard  of  all 
with  whom  he  has  associated. 


THOMAS  ASHTON. 


Thomas  Ashton  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Ashton  Brothers,  con- 
ducting a  grocery  establishment  at  the  corner  of  Twelfth  street  and 
Central  avenue  in  Fort  Dodge.  The  l)rotliers,  Thomas  and  James 
B.  Ashton,  have  been  successfully  engaged  in  business  together  for 
the  past  twenty-eight  years.  Thomas  .\shton  was  born  in  Lincoln- 
shire, England,  on  the  13th  of  October,  1846,  his  parents  being 
Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Beers)  Ashton,  who  were  likewise  natives  of 
that  county.     His  paternal  grandparents,  who  died  in  England,  had 


64  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

one  son  and  four  daughters.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Beers,  the  maternal 
grandparents  of  our  subject,  were  natives  of  Ireland  and  the  latter 
died  in  England.  Mr.  Beers  subsequently  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  passing  away  in  New  York  city  at  an  advanced  age.  He  had 
two  children,  Elizabeth  and  Thomas. 

Robert  Ashton,  the  father  of  Thomas  Ashton,  was  a  bricklayer  by 
trade  and,  coming  to  the  new  world,  located  at  Plymouth,  Michigan. 
Subsequently  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Ann  Arbor,  that  state,  where 
his  demise  occurred  in  1857,  when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  about 
forty-nine  years.  His  wife,  who  survived  him,  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  about  sixty-eight.  Both  were  Catholics  in  religious  faith. 
Their  children  were  eight  in  number,  namely :  Maria,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Henry  Hayler,  of  San  Diego,  California;  Robert,  deceased; 
Thomas,  of  this  review;  Hannah,  the  deceased  wife  of  Patrick  Shee- 
han,  of  Ann  Arbor,  ]\Iichigan;  Theresa,  who  is  the  wife  of  Calvin 
Tryon,  of  Davidson  Station,  Michigan;  Agnes,  who  gave  her  hand 
in  marriage  to  Frederick  Martin,  of  Saginaw,  Michigan;  James  B., 
who  is  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  partnership  with  his  brother 
Thomas;  and  John  Henry,  who  lives  near  Saginaw,  Michigan. 

Thomas  Ashton,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  was  a  lad  of 
five  years  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  to  the  United  States  in 
1851.  He  grew  to  manhood  in  Plymouth  and  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan, 
and  vicinity,  attending  the  public  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an 
education.  \Mien  a  youth  of  eighteen  he  ran  away  from  home  to 
enlist  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  becoming  a  private  of  Company  I, 
Fifth  Michigan  Cavalrj'.  He  was  present  at  the  e\acuation  of 
Petersburg  and  witnessed  the  surrender  of  Lee  at  .\])p(jmatto.x.  Wlien 
hostilities  had  ceased  he  returned  to  Michigan  and  there  fuilnwed 
farming  for  about  four  years.  In  iHjo  he  came  to  h'ort  Dorlge,  Iowa, 
and  secured  employment  as  a  farm  hand  in  Humboldt  county,  while 
subsequently  he  worked  on  a  farm  in  I'alo  .\lto  county.  In  June. 
1872,  he  returned  to  Fort  Dodge  and  entered  the  grocery  establish- 
ment of  D.  K.  Lincoln.  In  that  line  of  activitj^  he  has  remained  to 
the  present  time.  For  the  past  twent\'-eiglit  years  lie  lias  been  en- 
gaged in  business  in  association  w  itii  his  brother,  James  B.,  ami  the 
firm  has  not  only  enjoyed  an  extensive  and  profitable  trade  but  also 
an  unassailable  reputation  for  integrity  and  straightforward  dealing. 
The  Ashton  Brothers  carry  a  large  line  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries 
and  are  at  all  times  in  a  position  to  meet  the  demantis  and  wishes  of 
theii'  customers. 


HIST(3RY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  65 

On  the  26th  of  September,  1876,  Mr.  Ashton  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Lorena  L.  Martin,  a  native  of  Mineral  Point,  Wis- 
consin, where  the  wedding  ceremony  took  place.  Her  parents,  Henry 
and  Mary  Ann  (Lanyon)  Martin,  who  were  born  in  England,  be- 
came early  settlers  of  Mineral  Point,  Wisconsin.  Henry  Martin, 
who  was  a  coal,  lead  and  gold  miner,  passed  away  when  about 
seventy-eight  years  of  age.  His  wife  was  seventy-two  years  of  age 
when  called  to  her  final  rest.  Their  children  were  as  follows: 
Lorena,  ]\lrs.  Mary  Ellen  Jones  and  James  H.  Martin.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ashton  have  been  born  six  children,  as  follows :  Robert  Henry, 
Blanche  Agnes,  Frederick  Walter  and  three,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Ashton  is  a  stanch  republican,  supporting  the  men  and  meas- 
ures of  that  party  at  the  polls.  He  belongs  to  Fort  Donelson  Post, 
No.  236,  G.  A.  R.,  and  was  chosen  commander  of  the  same  for  the 
year  1912.  He  is  widely  and  favorably  known  in  Fort  Dodge  and 
Webster  county  and  the  circle  of  his  friends  is  almost  coextensive 
with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintances. 


JAMES  B.  ASHTON. 

James  B.  Ashton,  a  member  of  the  grocery  firm  of  Ashton  Brothers 
in  Fort  Dodge,  was  born  at  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan,  on  the  i6th  of 
December,  1855,  and  was  reared  in  that  city  and  vicinity.  He  ob- 
tained his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Ann  Arbor  and  when 
in  his  thirteenth  year  began  working  on  a  farm  by  the  month,  being 
thus  employed  for  a  number  of  years.  On  the  7th  of  August,  1879, 
he  came  to  Iowa,  located  in  Fort  Dodge  and  here  clerked  in  a  grocery 
store  until  the  spring  of  1882.  At  that  time  he  went  to  Monarch, 
Colorado,  where  he  clerked  for  one  year  and  then  embarked  in  busi- 
ness on  his  own  account.  In  August,  1884,  he  returned  to  Fort 
Dodge  and  on  the  ist  of  September,  following,  engaged  in  the  gro- 
cery business  in  association  with  his  brother  Thomasi  ,  As  above 
stated,  the  brothers  have  remained  in  business  here  continuously  since 
and  have  won  a  gratifying  and  well  merited  measure  of  prosperity. 

On  the  9th  of  December,  1885,  Mr.  Ashton  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Leila  O.  Jones,  a  daughter  of  A.  W.  and  Cordelia 
(Walker)  Jones.  To  them  have  been  born  two  children:  Clay 
B.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years;  and  James  W.,  whose  I)irth 
occurred  in  1892.     The  mother  is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Meth- 


66  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

odist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Ashton  gives  his  political  allegiance 
to  the  republican  party  and  has  served  as  city  councilman  for  three 
terms.  His  worth  is  widely  acknowledged  by  those  who  know 
him  and  he  has  the  favorable  regard  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 


JUDGE  ROBERT  MULLINS  WRIGHT. 

Judge  Robert  ^Mullins  Wright,  who  since  1906  has  occupied  the 
bench  of  the  eleventh  judicial  district,  entered  upon  his  professional 
career  well  equipped  by  thorough  and  comprehensive  collegiate  train- 
ing and  in  the  interiiYi  ^^ince  his  admission  to  the  bar  has  made  con- 
tinuous progress  until  Iowa  today  numbers  him  among  her  dis- 
tinguished lawyers  and  jurists.  He  was  born  at  Sheffield,  England, 
November  i,  1844,  and  in  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines  comes 
of  English  ancestry.  His  grandfather,  Stephen  \\'right,  born  on  the 
"Alerrie  Isle,"  was  manager  of  an  estate  and  to  him  and  his  wife, 
Matilda  Wright,  were  born  three  children,  Thomas,  Stephen  and  .Amy. 
The  first  named,  born  in  England,  was  reared  in  Yorkshire  and  always 
followed  farming.  The  agricultural  opportunities  of  the  new  world, 
however,  attracted  him  to  America  and  in  1850  he  crossed  the  Atlantic, 
taking  up  his  abode  near  Lisbon,  Kendall  county,  Illinois,  where  he 
remained  for  two  or  three  years.  He  afterward  remo\ed  to  De  Kalb 
county,  where  he  passed  away  in  1882,  at  the  age  of  eighty  years. 
His  wife  sur\i\ed  him  until  18X7  and  was  se\enty-nine  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  her  demise.  She,  too,  was  born  in  England,  as  were 
her  parents,  George  and  Sarah  (Gilot)  Mullins.  Her  father  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  thus  providing  for  the  support  of  his  family, 
which  numbered  six  children,  including  Robert,  George,  and  Mary. 
The  daughter  Mary  became  the  wife  of  Thomas  Wright  and  for 
many  years  they  traveled  life's  journey  happily  together.  He  was 
originally  an  Episcopalian  in  religious  belief  and  she  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  church,  but  after  settling  in  Illinois  in  early  days, 
they  identified  themselves  with  the  Methodist  denomination,  which 
was  the  pioneer  church  of  that  state,  continuing  their  connection  with 
that  faith  until  their  death.  In  community  afifairs  Mr.  Wright  was 
somewhat  prominent,  holding  a  number  of  township  offices,  and  at 
all  times  his  record  measured  up  to  high  standards  of  manhood  and 
citizenship.  His  family  numbered  five  children,  of  whom  the  eldest, 
George,  is  deceased.     Ann  was  the  wife  of  \\'illiam  Cutts.     She  died 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  67 

at  Shabbona,  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois,  in  September,  1912.  Wil- 
liam was  a  soldier  of  the  Civil  war  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Resaca.  Robert  M.  was  the  next  of  the  family.  Juliana  is  the  wife 
of  James  Spaulding,  an  old  soldier,  living  near  Ruthven,  Iowa. 

Judge  Wright  was  but  five  years  of  age  when  brought  to  the 
United  States  and  remained  upon  the  home  farm  in  De  Kalb  county, 
Illinois,  until  he  entered  college.  He  supplemented  his  preliminary 
education  by  a  course  in  the  University  of  Michigan,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1871,  while 
the  honorary  degree  of  blaster  of  Arts  was  conferred  upon  him  in 
1874.  In  early  manhood  he  devoted  five  years  of  his  life  to  teaching 
school  and  during  the  last  four  years  of  that  period  was  principal  of 
the  high  school  in  Fort  W^ayne,  Indiana.  I-3  July.  1876,  he  arrived 
in  Fort  Dodge  and  entered  upon  the  practice  of  law  here  in  that 
year,  having  prepared  for  the  bar  by  private  study  at  a  former  period. 
He  has  ever  remained  a  close  and  discriminating  student  of  the  pro- 
fession, reading  broadly  and  mastering  the  principles  of  jurisprudence 
in  large  measure.  He  continued  in  active  practice  until  1906,  when 
he  was  elected  judge  of  the  district  court  and  is  still  upon  the  bench. 
His  decisions  are  models  of  judicial  soundness  and  are  based  upon 
a  thorough  understanding  of  the  points  presented,  a  comprehensive 
knowledge  of  the  law  and  an  appreciation  of  the  equity  of  the  case. 
He  has  not  only  been  acti\e  in  administering  the  law  but  also  has 
taken  part  in  framing  acts  which  ha\e  found  their  way  to  the  statute 
books  of  the  state,  for  in  1882  he  was  a  member  of  the  state  legisla- 
ture, during  which  period  he  voted  for  the  submission  of  the  pro- 
hibitory amendment  to  the  state  constitution,  concerning  intoxicating 
liquors  and  also  at  that  time  voted  in  fax'or  of  woman  suffrage.  In 
1904  he  was  once  more  chosen  to  represent  his  district  in  the  state 
legislature  and  again  in  1906.  He  has  served  on  some  of  the  most 
important  committees  in  the  legislature,  of  several  of  which  he  was 
chainnan,  including  the  committee  on  constitutional  amendments. 
He  has  been  a  stalwart  republican  since  the  organization  of  the  party. 
His  father  was  greatly  opposed  to  slavery  and  Judge  W^right  held  to 
the  same  views.  Indeed,  throughout  his  entire  life  he  has  been  the 
opponent  of  any  unjust  domination  and  he  stands  for  much  that  is 
progressive,  holding  to  the  ideal  of  party  service  for  the  many  rather 
than  for  the  few. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  1872,  Judge  Wright  was  married  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Fowler,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Mary  Fowler.  Mrs. 
W^right  was  born  in  Aurora,  Illinois,  while  her  parents  were  natix'es 


68  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

of  Ireland  and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  They  also  held  to  the  Prot- 
estant faith.  After  living  for  a  time  in  Canada  they  came  to  the 
United  States,  settling  in  Aurora,  Illinois,  but  spending  their  last 
days  in  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois,  where  Mr.  Fowler  passed  away  at 
the  age  of  eighty-two  years  and  his  wife  when  seventy  years  of  age. 
They  were  the  parents  of  six  children :  John,  who  died  in  the  Civil 
war;  Robert,  whose  death  occurred  in  Illinois  about  three  years  ago; 
James,  a  Civil  war  soldier,  who  died  at  Denver,  Colorado,  in  1910; 
Mary  Ann,  unmarried;  Mrs.  Sarah  Jane  Howlitt,  of  Paw  Paw,  Illi- 
nois, a  widow  and  fonnerly  the  wife  of  a  Union  veteran,  who  died 
several  years  ago;  and  Mrs.  Wright.  The  last  named  died  in  1889, 
at  the  age  of  forty-two  years.  She  was  a  consistent  Christian  woman 
and  held  membership  in  the  Methodist  church.  She  became  the  mother 
of  four  children :  Florence  Eliza,  who  died  when  fourteen  years  of  age ; 
Herbert  Francis,  who  died  when  four  years  of  age;  Roberta,  the  wife 
of  Walter  Merryman,  manager  of  the  Messinger  Printing  Office; 
and  Elizabeth  Gilot,  at  home.  On  the  27th  of  August,  1890,  Judge 
Wright  married  Miss  Hattie  Maria  Leonard,  who  was  born  December 
9,  1858,  a  daughter  of  Df.  P.  M.  Leonard,  of  Fort  Wayne.  Indiana. 
There  is  one  son  of  the  second  marriage,  Robert  Leonard  Wright, 
now  a  student  in  the  University  of  Iowa.  Mrs.  Wright  is  a  member 
of  the  Presbyterian  church.  Both  Judge  and  ^Irs.  \Vright  have  a 
wide  acquaintance  in  Fort  Dodge  and  this  part  of  the  state,  where 
he  has  lived  continuously  for  thirty-six  years.  He  has  ever  held 
closely  to  a  high  standard  of  professional  ethics  and  has  been  an  able 
and  conscientious  minister  in  the  temple  of  justice.  His  ideals  of 
citizenship  are  high  and  in  the  relations  of  life  which  are  of  a  more 
strictly  social  character  he  has  displayed  qualities  which  have  ren- 
dered him  popular  wherever  he  is  known. 


ASAEL  W.  JONES. 


Asael  W.  Jones,  who  is  living  retired  at  No.  1303  Fifth  avenue. 
South,  in  Fort  Dodge,  has  resided  in  this  city  for  more  than  four 
decades  and  here  conducted  a  blacksmith  shop  for  fifteen  years.  Since 
disposing  of  his  shop  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  sale  of  agricultural 
implements.  His  birth  occurred  in  Crawford  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  Randolph  township,  near  Meadville,  on  the  4th  of  June,  1838.  his 
parents  being  Joel  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Jones,  the  fonner  a  native  of 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  69 

Sacket  Harbor,  New  York,  and  the  latter  of  Ware,  Massachusetts. 
His  paternal  grandfather,  Joel  Jones,  who  participated  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war,  was  a  native  of  Vermont  and  an  agriculturist  by  occu- 
pation. Both  he  and  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Sarah 
Sprague,  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age.  Their  children  were  six  in  number. 
The  maternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  John  and  Sarah 
Smith,  the  former  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation. 

Joel  Jones,  the  father  of  Asael  W.  Jones,  was  born  in  1794  and 
reared  in  the  state  of  his  nativity.  When  a  youth  of  eighteen  he  en- 
listed at  Sacket  Harbor  for  service  in  the  War  of  1812.  He  was 
married  in  Pennsylvania  and  in  1846  removed  westward  to  Ilhnois, 
locating  in  La  Salle  county,  twelve  miles  north  of  Ottawa,  on  the  old 
Shabbona  Indian  trail.  There  he  devoted  his  attention  to  farming 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  passing  away  at  the  age  of  sev- 
enty-eight years.  His  wife  died  three  years  later,  when  seventy-nine 
years  old.  Both  were  Methodists  in  religious  faith.  Mr.  Jones  held 
various  township  offices  and  was  well  educated,  following  the  pro- 
fession of  school  teaching  in  early  manhood.  All  of  his  children 
received  a  good  college  education.  To  Joel  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Jones 
were  born  the  following  children :  V.  B.,  who  served  as  a  Union 
soldier  during  the  Civil  war;  Heppa  Julietta;  Sarasa  Marilla;  Sarah 
Ermina:  Luther  Alvera;  Joel  Adna,  who  also  participated  in  the  Civil 
war;  and  Asael  Wadworth.  of  this  review. 

Asael  Wadworth  Jones  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Illinois  and 
obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  La  Salle  county. 
He  then  removed  to  Wheaton  and  spent  four  years  as  a  student  in 
Wheaton  College.  Subsequently  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade, 
which  he  followed  for  many  years.  In  1870  he  came  to  Iowa  and 
throughout  the  intervening  forty-two  years  has  made  his  home  in 
I-'ort  Dodge.  He  successfully  conducted  a  blacksmith  shop  here  for 
fifteen  years  and  then  sold  out,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  sales- 
man in  the  service  of  a  firm  dealing  in  agricultural  implements. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  i860,  Asael  W.  Jones  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Cordelia  A.  Walker,  a  native  of  Ohio,  the  ceremony 
taking  place  on  the  eighteenth  birthday  of  the  bride.  Her  parents, 
C.  ^\'.  and  Keziah  Walker,  were  also  natives  of  the  Buckeye  state  and 
became  early  settlers  of  Henry,  Marshall  county,  Illinois.  They  came 
to  Iowa  in  1869  and  passed  away  at  Fort  Dodge.  Their  children 
w  ere  seven  in  number,  Cordelia.  Orselia,  Livona,  Emma,  Flora,  Mary 
and  Carrie.     To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  were  born  five  children.     Fred 


70  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

E.,  who  is  superintendent  of  the  government  telephone  system  at 
Phoenix,  Arizona,  wedded  Miss  Sarah  Blaine,  by  whom  he  has  five 
children,  Harry  E.,  Belle  J.,  De  Merritt,  Maude  and  Bernice.  Leila 
Orselia,  who  lives  in  Eort  Dodge,  is  the  wife  of  J.  B.  Ashton  and  the 
mother  of  one  son,  Jay.  Joel  Othello,  deceased,  was  a  telephone 
man.  His  widow,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Jennie  Pace,  resides 
in  Webster  City,  Iowa,  with  her  four  children,  Wilbur.  Hazel,  Dor- 
othy and  Herbert.  Minnie  May  ga\e  her  hand  in  marriage  to  E.  H. 
Martin  of  Webster  City,  a  telephone  man.  They  ha\e  two  sons, 
Fred  N.  and  Glen.  Delia  Edith  Jones  is  the  other  member  of  our 
subject's  family.  The  wife  and  mother  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in 
i8go,  when  forty-eight  years  of  age,  passing  away  in  the  faith  of  the 
Methodist  church.  Mr.  Jones  is  a  devoted  member  of  that  church. 
He  has  passed  the  seventy-fourth  milestone  on  life's  journey  and 
enjoys  the  veneration  and  respect  which  should  ever  be  accorded  one 
who  has  traveled  thus  far  on  this-earthly  pilgrimage  and  whose  life 
has  been  at  all  times  upright  and  honorable. 


OLE  C.  HANSON. 


Ole  C.  Hanson,  manager  of  the  Otho  Mercantile  Company,  is 
numbered  among  the  worthy  native  sons  and  representative  citizens 
of  Webster  county  and  has  for  the  past  eight  years  served  as  clerk  of 
Otho  townshi]).  His  birth  occurred  in  Badger  townsiiij)  in  Decem- 
ber, 1883,  his  parents  being  Olaf  and  Ingeborg  (Larson)  Hanson, 
both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Norway.  Emigrating  to  the  United 
states,  they  took  up  their  abode  at  Badger,  Webster  county,  Iowa,  in 
1882.  Olaf  Hanson  managed  a  store  in  Norway  and  after  coming 
to  this  country  acted  as  section  foreman  for  the  Minneapolis  &  St. 
Louis  Railroad  until  about  1908,  when  he  became  paralyzed.  In  1892 
he  took  u])  his  abode  in  Otho,  where  he  still  resides  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
four  years,  enjoying  an  enviable  position  in  the  regard  and  esteem 
of  his  fellow  townsmen.  His  wife  has  also  attained  the  age  of  fifty- 
four  years. 

Ole  C.  Hanson  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wel)ster  county,  at- 
tending school  until  twelve  years  of  age.  Being  one  of  a  large  family 
of  children,  he  was  then  obliged  to  provide  for  his  own  support  and 
entered  the  general  store  of  Dawson  &  Wonders  at  Otho.  in  which  he 
remained  for  three  years.     Subsequently  he  spent  four  vears  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  71 

employ  of  Dawson  &  Green  and  on  tlie  expiration  of  that  period  went 
to  Kalo,  where  he  worked  in  the  general  store  of  Mr.  Apland  for 
four  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Otho  and  accepted 
the  position  of  manager  with  the  Otho  Mercantile  Company,  which 
office  he  has  since  retained,  being  also  a  stockholder  of  the  concern. 
The  continued  growth  and  success  of  the  establishment  is  attributable 
in  large  measure  to  the  good  judgment  and  capable  management  of 
our  subject.  In  igo8  the  company  erected  the  large  and  handsome 
two-story  brick  building  in  which  they  have  since  conducted  business, 
carrying  an  extensive  and  complete  line  of  goods  at  attractive  prices 
and  being  accorded  an  excellent  patronage.  Mr.  Hanson  owns  a  good 
and  commodious  home  in  Otho.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  here. 

On  the  15th  of  June,  1Q04.  our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Barbara  Ballantyne,  a  daughter  of  Sandy  and  Lizzie  Ballantyne, 
natives  of  Scotland.  They  have  two  children,  Ivan  and  Melva,  who 
are  seven  and  four  years  of  age  respectively. 

Ole  C.  Hanson  is  a  stanch  republican.  He  has  served  as  clerk  of 
Otho  township  for  the  past  eight  years  and  at  the  present  time  is  also 
acting  as  assistant  postmaster  of  Otho,  discharging  his  duties  in  both 
connections  with  signal  ])roniptness  and  ability.  Fraternally  he  is 
identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  In  religious  faith 
he  is  a  Methodist.  He  has  already  won  a  creditable  place  in  business 
circles  for  one  of  his  years  and  enjoys  an  extensive  and  favorable 
acquaintance  in  the  county  in  which  his  entire  life  has  been  s])ent. 


F.  M.  SPRINGER. 


I''.  M.  Springer,  who  is  successfully  engaged  in  farming  in  Webster 
county,  is  the  owner  of  an  excellent  tract  of  one  hundred  acres,  on 
section  34,  Roland  township.  He  was  born  in  Stark  county,  Illinois, 
August  17,  1856,  a  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Chandler)  Springer. 
The  father  was  born  in  Ohio  and  in  his  youth  removed  from  that 
state  to  Illinois,  where  he  resided  until  1874,  when  he  came  to  Iowa, 
settling  near  Paton,  Greene  county.  In  1883  he  came  to  Webster 
county  and  located  on  a  tract  of  land  on  section  34,  Roland  township. 
He  improved  and  culti\ate(l  this  farm  and  resided  there  until  his 
death    which   occurred    in    i<jo().      lie    was    a    successful    farmer   and 


72  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

stock-raiser,  and  became  one  of  the  substantial  residents  of  this  sec- 
tion of  the  country.  His  wife  is  now  hving  on  the  old  homestead. 
In  their  family  were  six  children :  James  Harvey,  who  is  deceased ; 
F.  M.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  G.  F.,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Roland 
township;  Elmer,  who  resides  with  his  mother;  Mrs.  Christine 
Young  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa ;  and  Ella,  deceased. 

F.  M.  Springer  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Illinois  and  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  He  then  started  out  in  life  for  himself  and  was 
employed  for  some  time  on  a  farm,  but  afterward  returned  home  and 
remained  there  until  he  was  thirty-two  years  of  age.  He  then  located 
on  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  situated  on  section  34  in 
Roland  township.  He  has  cultivated  and  improved  this  land  until  he 
now  has  an  excellent  homestead.  He  is  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising.  He  also  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
near  Redfield,  South  Dakota. 

In  Cowrie,  Iowa,  in  1879,  Mr.  Springer  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy 
J.  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Sullivan  county.  New  "N'ork.  To  this 
union  one  child  was  born,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Springer  have  one  adopted  son,  Mark,  who  is  eleven  years  of  age. 

In  politics  Mr.  Springer  is  republican,  and  both  he  and  Mrs. 
Springer  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  he 
is  a  trustee.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  witli  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  .America.  He  is  i)rogressive  and  energetic,  and  in  ail  his  social 
and  business  relations  is  recognized  as  a  man  of  genuine  worth,  who 
lias  won  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  into 
contact. 


cii.\i<:ij-:s  J.  sw'.wsTROM. 

One  of  the  highly  respected  citizens  and  retired  l)usiness  men  of 
Dayton  is  Charles  J.  Swanstrom,  vice  president  of  the  Farmers  State 
Bank,  who  for  nearly  twenty  years  was  identified  with  the  lumber 
interests  of  the  town.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  the  Linkoping  dis- 
trict in  central  Sweden,  his  parents  being  John  and  Joiianna  (S wen- 
son)  Suanslrum,  botii  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  The  father  was 
for  many  years  engaged  in  farming  in  Sweden,  where  he  passed 
away.  After  his  death  the  motlier  made  her  home  witli  her  daugh- 
ter, Mrs.  Matilda  Mel  inc.  who  resided  in  Norrkoping,  Sweden. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  73 

Charles  J.  Swanstroni  was  reared  at  home  and  attended  tlie  schools 
in  the  vicinity  of  his  father's  farm,  hut  a  large  portion  of  his  educa- 
tion was  acquired  under  the  instruction  of  his  mother,  who  had  been 
given  the  advantages  of  good  schooling.  When  fifteen  years  of  age  he 
began  to  learn  the  cabinet-maker's  trade  which  occupation  he  followed 
until  coming  to  America  in  1868.  In  accordance  with  the  law  of  the 
land  he  served,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  two  years  in  the  Swedish  army. 
Not  foreseeing  any  particular  advantages  or  opportunities  for  advance- 
ment in  his  native  land,  and  feeling  convinced  that  he  could  find  such 
in  America,  he  left  at  the  age  of  twenty-four  the  land  of  his  birth 
and  took  passage  for  the  United  States.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this 
country  he  went  to  Galesburg,  Illinois,  and  there  found  employment 
in  a  carpenter's  shop.  Two  months  later  he  left  there  and  went  to 
Peoria,  Illinois,  where  he  followed  various  pursuits  until  1871.  In 
the  spring  of  that  year  he  came  to  Webster  county  and  located  in 
Dayton.  He  had  very  little  means,  but  an  abundance  of  energy  and 
determination  of  purpose,  and  felt  assured  that  he  would  meet  with 
success.  He  established  a  shop  and  followed  the  carpenter's  trade 
with  continuously  increasing  success  until  1883.  During  that  period 
he  managed  to  accumulate  sufficient  means  to  enable  him  to  engage 
in  commercial  activities,  on  a  larger  scale  and,  disposing  of  his  shop 
he  went  into  the  lumber  business.  The  reputation  he  had  acquired 
for  integrity  and  reliability  proved  to  be  an  invalualile  asset  to  him, 
and  this  together  with  his  enterprising  and  energetic  methods  en- 
abled him  to  build  up  a  thriving  enterprise.  The  clear  judgment  and 
intelligence  he  manifested  in  the  development  of  his  business  enabled 
him  to  extend  his  activities  and  at  the  time  of  his  retirement  in  1901, 
he  owned  two  lumberyards  in  Dayton.  One  was  located  at  the  Min- 
neapolis &  St.  Paul  station  and  the  other  at  the  Chicago  &  North- 
western. He  is  now  one  of  the  largest  stockholders  of  the  Farmers 
State  Bank,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers.  After  they  in- 
corporated he  was  elected  second  vice  president  and  retained  that 
office  for  five  years,  when  he  was  made  vice  president  and  has  ever 
since  served  in  that  capacity.  In  addition  to  this  he  owns  a  half  in- 
terest in  a  fine  farm  in  Lost  Grove  township,  and  extensive  grain 
lands  in  Canada,  while  he  has  a  beautiful  residence  jiroperty  in 
Dayton. 

In  1871,  Mr.  Swanstrom  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Helena 
Catharine  Bliss,  the  event  being  celebrated  in  this  city.  Mrs.  Swan- 
strom, who  passed  away  on  the  21st  of  December,  1898,  was  the 
daughter  of  a  soldier  in  the  Swedish  army.     Six  children  were  born 


74  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

of  this  marriage  as  follows :  Melvin,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven 
years ;  George  W.,  a  traveling  salesman  living  at  Washington,  Kan- 
sas ;  Gus  Albert,  living  with  his  father,  who  married  Alice  Johnson 
of  Dayton  and  has  two  children,  Garrial  and  Bliss ;  Harry,  also  liv- 
ing with  his  father;  Elmer,  a  partner  in  the  Dayton  Hardware  Com- 
pany, who  married  Hilma  Youngdell  of  this  city;  and  Vera,  who  mar- 
ried Frank  Donahey  of  Valley  Junction,  an  employe  of  a  Des  Moines 
Shoe  Company- 
Mr.  Swanstrom  has  attained  high  rank  in  the  Masonic  fraternity 
and  belongs  to  the  blue  lodge  of  Dayton,  commandery  at  Fort  Dodge 
and  Shrine  at  Des  Moines.  In  politics  he  is  a  stanch  republican.  He 
has  always  taken  an  active  interest  in  municipal  affairs  and  served  for 
ten  years  in  the  council  and  on  the  school  board  for  twenty,  retiring 
from  the  latter  in  the  spring  of  191 1.  Mr.  Swanstrom  is  a  man  of 
many  estimable  qualities  and  by  reason  of  his  ability  to  dominate 
conditions  and  convert  obstacles  into  opportunities  has  won  the  admi- 
ration of  all  with  whom  he  has  had  dealings.  He  early  learned  that 
even  in  America  success  is  not  easily  won,  but  must  be  the  achieve- 
ment of  unceasing  diligence,  the  intelligent  concentration  of  power 
and  the  determination  of  purpose,  that  will  not  recognize  defeat.  His 
career  should  be  a  source  of  inspiration  to  every  ambitious  young 
man,  as  the  prosperity  he  attained  is  the  result  of  his  own  unaided 
effort,  no  favorable  circumstances  or  family  influence  ha\ing  aided 
him  in  his  early  struggle. 


GEORGE  D.  HART,  M.  D. 

No  student  of  history  can  carry  his  investigations  far  into  the 
records  of  Weiister  county  without  learning  that  the  Hart  family  has 
figured  prominently  in  its  sul)stautial  upbuilding  and  development, 
and  it  is,  therefore,  with  iii.asurc  lliat  \vc  present  to  our  readers  the 
sketch  of  Dr.  George  D.  iiari.  long  an  able  and  distinguished  phy- 
sician of  Otho,  whose  labors,  however,  have  constituted  but  one  phase 
of  his  life,  for  he  has  ever  been  mindful  of  his  obligations  and  duties 
to  his  fellowmen  and  to  city,  state  and  nation.  He  was  born  in 
Adams  county,  Illinois,  July  26,  1S35,  his  parents  being  Norman  and 
Marcia  (Hale)  Hart,  who  were  natives  of  Connecticut.  The  father 
went  to  Adams  county,  Illinois,  in  1834  and  after  a  brief  residence 
there  removed  to  Kane  countv.  Illinois,  where  he  entered  land  from 


^^Mt^  .  ^j£<y^^a^  U^  .  Ji<^t  I'  f 


-^^^3/^ 


'C^. 


^y- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  77 

the  go\ernnient.  Xot  a  furrow  had  been  turned  nor  an  impro\'ement 
made  on  his  place  and  with  characteristic  energy  lie  began  preparing 
the  land   for  culti\ation.     Year  after  year  he  tilled  his  fields  until 

1854.  when  he  sold  that  property  and  remo\ed  to  Webster  county, 
entering  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Otho  township.  The  other  mem- 
bers of  the  family  also  entered  land,  which  he  improved  and  culti- 
\ated  to  the  time  of  his  death.  He  died  suddenly  on  the  31st  of 
March,  18S0.  ha\ing  for  a  few-  years  survived  his  wife,  who  passed 
away  in  Feliruary,  1875.  They  were,  indeed,  worth)'  pioneer  set- 
tlers of  this  region,  arri\ing  here  when  there  was  not  a  single  rail- 
road in  this  state,  while  a  railway  line  extended  only  half  way  across 
the  state  of  Illinois.     It  was  at  their  home  on  the  13th  of  J\Iarch, 

1855,  that  the  First  Congregational  church  of  Otho  was  organized, 
these  two  worthy  people  becoining  charter  members  and  remaining 
faithful  thereto  until  called  to  their  reward.  For  about  two  years 
services  were  held  at  least  part  of  the  time  in  their  home.  For  a 
long  period  Mr.  Hart  ser\ed  as  one  of  the  officers  of  the  church  and 
his  son  Norman  was  the  first  superintendent  of  the  Sunday  school. 

George  D.  Hart  was  reared  and  educated  in  Big  Rock  township, 
Kane  county,  Illinois,  and  there  remained  until  nineteen  years  of 
age,  when,  in  1854,  he  accompanied  his  parents  as  they  drove  across 
the  country  to  Webster  county,  Iowa.  Here  he  purchased  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land  at  two  dollars  and  a  half  per  acre. 
A  year  after  arriving  here  he  set  about  improving  his  place  and 
operated  it  from  1858  until  August  16,  1862,  when  patriotism  be- 
came the  dominant  element  in  his  life  and  he  enlisted  as  a  member 
of  Company  I,  Thirty-second  Iowa  Infantry.  He  never  served  in 
the  ranks,  however,  for  when  the  regiment  started  south  from 
Dubuque  he  was  left  in  charge  of  the  sick  at  Camp  Franklin  and 
after  rejoining  his  command  at  New  Madrid,  Missouri,  on  the  2d 
of  December,  following,  he  served  as  hospital  warden,  being  thus 
on  duty  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  term  of  enlistment.  He 
was  finally  honorably  discharged  because  of  disability  on  the  ist  of 
July,  1865.  It  was  his  hospital  experience  that  laid  the  foundation 
for  his  profession.  Fle  became  interested  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine and  on  his  return  home  pursued  a  course  of  study  in  the  office 
of  Dr.  S.  B.  Olney,  who  was  chief  surgeon  in  his  regiment.  Having 
thus  qualified  for  active  practice,  he  opened  an  ofilice  in  Otho,  where 
he  has  since  remained.  His  ability  in  the  field  of  his  chosen  pro- 
fession  has   been   widely   recognized  and   has   grown   with    further 

reading  and  study,  for  he  has  kept  in  touch  with  the  advanced  scien- 
voi.  n— B 


78  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

tific  methods  which  are  the  result  of  modern  investigation.  He  still 
owns  eighty  acres  of  the  land  which  he  first  purchased  here  on 
section  28,  Otho  township,  and  he  has  a  beautiful  home  in  the  village. 
On  the  nth  of  November,  1858,  Dr.  Hart  was  married  to  Miss 
Orlinda  S.  Moore,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  on  November  26,  1840,  and 
was  a  daughter  of  Homer  and  Sarah  (Minton)  Moore,  who  came 
with  their  family  to  Iowa  in  1856.  In  the  following  summer  Mrs. 
Hart  taught  the  first  term  of  school  and  was  one  of  the  prominent 
pioneer  women  of  Elkhorn  township.  She  passed  away  on  the  28th 
of  January,  1883,  leaving  two  children.  Lillie  H.,  the  elder,  born 
September  i,  1859,  became  the  wife  of  Fred  E.  Payne  and  died 
September  30,  1898,  leaving  two  children:  Calla  H.,  born  Septem- 
ber 6,  1881;  and  George  E.,  born  May  16,  1887.  Hoyt  N.  Hart, 
born  March  26,  1867,  owns  and  operates  a  ranch  at  Paxton,  Keith 
county,  Nebraska.  He  first  married  Carrie  ^I.  Plummer  and  they 
had  one  child,  Harrison  Dolliver,  born  June  17,  1888.  In  1906 
Hoyt  N.  Hart  married  Miss  Lula  Salisbury  and  to  them  was  born 
one  child,  Lois,  on  November  22,  191 1.  Dr.  Hart  was  again  mar- 
ried June  II,  1885,  his  second  union  being  with  Pervilla  R.  Alsever, 
who  was  born  in  Oswego,  New  York,  March  20,  1857,  and  in  1866 
came  to  Webster  county,  Iowa,  with  her  parents,  Abram  and  Arminda 
(Fish)  Alsever,  who  were  natives  of  New  York.  On  arriving  here 
her  father  took  up  river  land  and  also  bought  lots  in  the  village  of 
Burnside,  where  he  lived  until  1902,  when  he  retired  from  active 
business  life  and  removed  to  Fort  Dodge.  There  he  remained  until 
1909,  when  he  took  up  his  abode  in  the  town  of  Otho,  where  he 
passed  away  in  January,  19 10.  His  first  wife  died  in  April,  1877, 
and  he  was  subsequently  married  to  Mrs.  Annie  Perry,  who  now 
makes  her  home  in  Lehigh,  this  county.  By  the  second  marriage 
of  Dr.  Hart  there  has  been  born  one  son,  Seth  Norman,  on  August 
18,  1888,  who  was  married,  November  6,  1910,  to  Bess  R.  Everett 
and  they  have  one  son,  Norman  Dwight,  born  September  10,  1912. 
Seth  N.  Hart  has  since  lived  in  Ohio,  where  he  owns  and  conducts 
a  photographic  studio,  enjoying  a  large  practice.  On  the  12th  of 
October,  1895,  ^^-  '^"'^  Mrs.  Hart  adopted  an  orphan  girl,  Albertina 
Anderson,  who  was  born  March  29,  1880,  and  was  married  January 
I,  1 90 1,  to  Henry  W.  Wakeman,  a  farmer  of  Otho  township.  They 
have  four  children:  Florence  P.,  bom  December  16,  1901 ;  Lola  B., 
born  October  29.  1903;  George  M.,  born  November  15.  1905;  and 
Lewis  A.,  bom  February  3,  1908.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hart  also  adopted 
a  son,  Dwight  M.,  a  son  of  J.  M.  Moore,  who  was  one  of  the  early 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  79 

settlers  of  the  county.  Dwight  was  born  December  i6,  1876,  in 
Steele  City,  Nebraska,  and  in  1902  married  Hattie  La  Valley.  They 
have  one  child.  Erma,  born  in  1903. 

Aside  from  his  activity  as  a  physician,  Dr.  Hart  has  done  well 
for  his  community  in  public  office,  serving  as  a  trustee  of  his  town- 
ship for  a  number  of  years  and  also  as  its  first  road  supervisor.  He 
has  been  justice  of  the  peace  for  three  different  terms  and  overseer 
of  the  cemetery  of  Otho  for  more  than  a  half  century.  He  was  a 
charter  member  of  Fort  Donelson  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Fort  Dodge, 
Iowa,  and  he  has  always  given  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republi- 
can party,  believing  firmly  in  its  principles.  He  holds  membership 
in  the  First  Congregational  church  of  Otho,  of  which  he  has  been 
a  deacon  since  1880.  He  was  present  on  its  organization,  March 
13,  1855,  and  on  the  occasion  of  the  fiftieth  anniversary  celebration. 
He  has  long  taken  a  most  active  and  helpful  part  in  the  church  work 
and  his  aid  and  influence  are  ever  given  to  promote  the  moral  prog- 
ress of  the  town  and  county.  He  has  a  wide  acquaintance  and  all 
who  know  him  are  glad  to  call  him  friend,  for  his  has  been  an  up- 
right, honorable  life,  bringing  to  him  the  confidence  and  justly  merited 
regard  of  those  with  whom  he  has  been  associated. 


M.  B.  DALY. 


jM.  B.  Daly  is  one  of  the  well  known  merchants  of  Lehigh,  ^^'ebster 
county,  Iowa,  where  he  is  successfully  engaged  in  conducting  a  gen- 
eral mercantile  store  located  in  the  Tyson  block.  He  was  born  De- 
cember 16,  1878,  and  is  a  son  of  Patrick  and  Aruia  (Halpin)  Daly. 
The  father  was  for  some  years  engaged  in  the  coal  business  in  com- 
pany with  our  subject,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Daly  Coal  Com- 
pany, but  later  they  sold  their  coal  mines.  The  father  died  at  the 
age  of  sixty-three  years.  Patrick  Daly  was  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Columbus  of  Fort  Dodge,  and  he  and  his  wife  were  loyal  mem- 
bers of  the  Catholic  church  of  that  city  and  are  buried  at  Fort  Dodge. 
They  were  the  parents  of  fourteen  children,  twelve  of  whom  are 
living. 

M.  B.  Daly  was  reared  at  home  and  received  his  early  education  in 
the  public  schools  of  Lehigh,  Iowa.  After  completing  his  school 
years  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  his  father  in 
Lehigh,  the  latter  having  established  the  business  where  E.  L.  Woodle's 


80  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

store  now  stands,  and  in  addition  to  his  mercantile  interests  Mr.  Daly- 
was  interested  in  the  operation  of  a  coal  mine,  which  was  later  sold, 
but  he  continued  to  maintain  and  operate  his  coal  yards  in  addition 
to  his  store.  He  later  sold  his  store  and  purchased  the  Bird  Supply 
Company,  a  general  merchandising  establishment  located  in  South 
Lehigh.  That  property  he  successfully  operated  for  two  years,  after 
which  time  he  changed  his  location  and  established  his  business  in 
the  Tyson  block,  where  he  has  since  continued  and  has  met  with 
gratifying  success.  He  carries  a  full  line  of  rubber  goods  and  gen- 
eral merchandise.  He  delivers  his  sales  to  the  city  trade  and  also 
has  a  substantial  trade  from  the  surrounding  country  within  a  dis- 
tance of  four  or  five  miles  from  his  store.  He  is  one  of  the  principal 
stockholders  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Lehigh. 

Mr.  Daly  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  29th  of  November,  1906, 
to  Miss  Mary  E.  Powers,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ellen  Powers. 
Mr.  Daly  is  affiliated  with  the  democratic  party  and  has  his  fraternal 
relations  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  belonging  to  Fort  Dodge 
Lodge,  No.  613,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  of  Lehigh.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church.  Mr.  Daly,  from  the  early  period  of  his  young  manhood,  has 
been  constantly  engaged  in  business  enterprises  in  Webster  county, 
and  for  many  years  has  been  numbered  among  the  representative  men 
of  Lehigh.  His  well  known  reputation  for  integrity  in  business  mat- 
ters and  the  uprightness  of  his  character  have  placed  him  among  the 
desirable  and  useful  citizens  of  his  countv  and  state. 


CH.\RLES  A.  AXDEKSOX. 

Charles  A.  Anderson  is  one  of  the  enterprising  agriculturists  of 
Webster  county,  Iowa,  where  he  is  successfully  operating  a  stock  and 
grain  farm  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  and  one-half  acres  located 
on  section  6,  Burnside  township.  He  was  born  July  28,  1866,  and  is  a 
son  of  J.  S.  and  Emma  Elizabeth  (Lundgren)  Anderson,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Sweden,  and  with  their  family  of  two  chil- 
dren emigrated  to  the  L'nited  States  and  settled  in  Henry  county, 
Illinois,  and  later  the  father  established  his  home  on  section  33,  Clay 
township,  Webster  county,  Iowa,  in  1874.  J.  S.  Anderson  was  twice 
married.  He  and  his  first  wife  were  the  parents  of  six  children; 
Charles  A.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  Mrs.  Anna  Lundquist,  a  resi- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  81 

dent  of  Nebraska;  Mrs.  Amanda  Larson,  who  resides  five  miles 
northeast  of  Gallary,  Clay  township ;  Mrs.  Agnes  E.  Sedholm ;  Robert, 
whose  home  is  located  three  miles  northeast  of  Gallary;  and  Paul, 
who  is  living  five  miles  northeast  of  Gallary,  Iowa.  The  last  three 
named  were  born  in  Webster  county,  Iowa.  By  his  second  union 
Mr.  Anderson  had  a  family  of  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased. He  belongs  to  the  democratic  party  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Swedish  Lutheran  church. 

Charles  A.  Anderson  was  reared  at  home  and  receixetl  his  educa- 
tion in  the  public  schools  of  Webster  county,  Iowa.  He  later  taught 
school  in  Clay  township  for  four  years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1893  he 
purchased  from  Thomas  Wright  of  Fort  Dodge,  a  fami  of  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  and  one-half  acres,  for  years  known  as  the 
McBane  place.  At  the  time  Mr.  Anderson  purchased  the  farm  it  was 
all  unbroken  prairie  land  and  he  has  since  improved  the  property  with 
suitable  farm  dwellings  and  brought  the  land  to  a  high  state  of  culti- 
\ation.  The  county  drain  runs  directly  through  his  land,  thus  afford- 
ing a  perfect  drainage  for  every  acre  of  land.  On  this  property  he 
has  since  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  and  makes  a  speciality 
of  high-grade  cattle  and  thoroughbred  hogs  and  horses.  Mr.  Ander- 
son maintains  his  residence  at  Fort  Dodge  and  drives  to  his  farm 
nil  innings  and  at  the  close  of  the  day  returns  home  for  the  night. 
He  has  been  a  trustee  of  Burnside  township  for  a  number  of  years  and 
is  known  as  one  of  the  reliable  and  enterprising  citizens  of  that  town- 
ship of  which  he  has  been  a  resident  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century. 


ARNOLD  E.  HOUGE. 


Arnold  E.  Houge,  numbered  among  the  younger  business  men  of 
Webster  county,  is  actively  engaged  in  the  conduct  of  a  hardware 
establishment  at  Badger  and  in  this  connection  is  meeting  with  well 
merited  success.  His  birth  occurred  in  Badger  township,  this  county, 
on  the  3d  of  April,  1885,  his  parents  being  Peter  A.  and  Elnora 
(Lindljerg)  Houge,  the  former  a  native  of  Wisconsin  and  the  latter 
of  Webster  county,  this  state.  Peter  A.  Houge,  who  came  to  this 
county  at  an  early  date,  turned  his  attention  to  the  operation  of  a 
farm  left  him  by  his  father  and  was  actively  engaged  in  its  cultiva- 
tion and  improvement  until  1893,  when  he  put  aside  the  work  of  the 
fields  and  took  up  his  abode  in  I'adger,  where  for  se\eral  years  pre- 


82  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

viously  he  had  conducted  a  hardware  store.  After  coming  to  Badger 
he  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  that  business,  remaining  an  active 
factor  in  commercial  circles  here  until  he  died.  His  sketch  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  His  widow  has  spent  her  entire  life  in 
Webster  county  and  is  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  within  its 
borders. 

Arnold  E.  Houge  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of 
his  native  county  and  subsequently  attended  Drake  University  at  Des 
Moines.  After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he  came  to  Badger  and 
embarked  in  the  hardware  business  as  a  partner  of  his  father,  at  whose 
death  he  became  sole  proprietor  of  the  establishment.  He  carries  an 
extensive  line  of  shelf  and  heavy  hardware  and  enjoys  a  liberal 
patronage.  In  addition  to  his  store  Imilding  he  owns  an  attractive 
residence  in  the  town  of  Badger. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  1909,  Mr.  Houge  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Gertrude  Peterson,  a  daughter  of  Rasmus  and  Rhoda  Peterson. 
They  have  one  child,  Doris  Evelyn,  who  is  in  her  second  year.  Mr. 
Houge  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is  ably 
serving  as  a  member  of  the  town  council.  His  religious  faith  is  that 
of  the  Lutiieran  churcii,  wiiile  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  .\merica,  acting  as  clerk  of  the  local  lodge  of 
that  order.  .V  man  of  high  worth  and  sterling  integrity,  ilr.  Houge  is 
widely  respected  and  esteemed  in  the  community  which  has  always 
been  his  home. 


JOHX  A.  LIXD. 


John  A.  Lind  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  since  1876.  He  is  the 
president  of  the  Harcourt  Savings  Bank,  and  since  1908  has  been 
postmaster  of  Harcourt,  in  which  city  he  resides.  He  was  born  in 
I'^olkoping,  Sweden,  May  4,  1848.  and  is  a  son  of  .\ndrew  and  Kate 
(Jackson)  Swanson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Sweden,  where 
the  father  followed  farming.  He  emigrated  with  his  family  to  Amer- 
ica in  1866,  and  upon  reaching  the  port  of  New  York  the  ship  was 
quarantined  for  seven  weeks  on  account  of  its  having  on  board  seven 
hundred  passengers  who  were  afflicted  with  cholera,  among  whom 
was  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  review.  He  was  removed  to  a 
hospital  where  he  died  and  was  Ijuried  in  Xew  York.     The  mother 


HISTORY  OF  WEIiSTER  COUNTY  83 

with  the  sur\i\-ing  members  of  her  family  settled  in  Rockfonl,  Illi- 
nois, at  which  place  a  sister  of  our  subject  was  living. 

John  A.  Lind,  after  establishing  his  home  in  Rockford,  took  up  work 
in  the  foundry  of  the  X.  C.  Thompson  Company  at  that  place  and 
continued  in  that  occupation  until  he  came  to  Webster  county,  in  1868, 
and  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  after  which 
he  returned  In  Rockford.  where  he  again  engaged  in  foundry  work 
until  1874.  In  that  year  he  went  to  his  farm  and  cultivated  the  land 
for  one  year  and  then  returned  again  to  Rockford  and  engaged  in 
work  for  a  similar  length  of  time.  In  1876  he  made  his  permanent 
settlement  on  his  farm  in  \\'ebster  county  and  was  continuously 
engaged  in  agricultural  inirsuits  for  the  twenty-sex'en  years  follow- 
ing. He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  highly 
developed  land.  In  1903  he  established  his  residence  in  Harcourt. 
where  he  has  since  continued  to  reside.  He  is  president  of  the  Har- 
court Savings  Bank,  and  in  Xovember.  1907,  received  the  appoint- 
ment as  postmaster  of  Harcourt  and  has  since  continued  in  that 
office. 

Mr.  Lind  was  married  in  1871  to  Miss  .Amanda  Clay,  a  daughter 
of  Andrew  Clay  of  Rockford,  Illinois.  The  father  was  a  native  of 
Sweden  and  is  now  deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lintl  have  been  born 
seven  children.  Jennie  married  August  Peterson,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  butcher  business  in  Harcourt,  and  they  now  have  eight  chil- 
dren. Victor,  who  is  a  leading  meat  dealer  of  Boxholm,  is  married 
and  has  four  children.  Oscar,  an  agriculturist  of  Lost  Grove  town- 
ship, is  married  and  the  father  of  three  children.  Emily  became  the 
wife  of  Oscar  Schill,  a  farmer  of  Lost  Grove  town.ship,  and  is  the 
mother  of  two  children.  Arthur,  who  operates  the  old  homestead,  is 
married  and  has  two  children.  Afarlin.  who  is  married  and  has  two 
children,  is  engaged  in  agricultural  jjursuits.  Esther  became  the  wife 
of  h'rank  D.  Carlson,  a  railroad  employe  at  Davenport.  Iowa,  and 
now  resides  in  that  city.  The  mother  of  this  family  died  on  the 
home  farm  in  Lost  Grove  tow-nship,  September  29,  1880,  and  in  Feb- 
ruary. 1886,  the  father  wedded  Miss  Anna  Johnson,  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  Ephraim  Johnson.  To  this  union  four  children  were 
born:  llilma,  a  student  in  Drake  University  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa; 
Reuben,  a  resident  of  Boxholm ;  and  Mamie  and  Roy,  who  are  attend- 
ing Tobin  College  at  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Lind  is  affiliated  with  the  republican  ])arty  and  has  served 
as  road  supervisor  and  assessor  of  Lost  Grove  township.  He  has 
been   a   member   of   the   board   of   su])er\'isors    for  seven   years   and 


84  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUXTY 

trustee  of  the  township  for  six.  He  and  his  family  are  members  of 
the  Swedish  Lutheran  church  of  Harcourt.  During  his  residence  in 
Iowa  he  has  steadily  gained  in  the  esteem  of  the  people  of  Webster 
county  and  has  for  many  years  been  placed  by  public  opinion  among 
the  enterprising  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  his  portion  of  the 
state. 


GEORGE  SCHXURR. 


George  Schnufr  is  well  known  in  business  circles  of  Webster  county 
as  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Kalo  Brick  &  Tile  Company,  which 
plant  he  purchased  in  partnership  w  ith  his  brother  William  a  number 
of  years  ago.  At  the  present  time  he  is  serving  as  postmaster  of  Otho, 
where  he  makes  his  home.  He  was  born  in  Buffalo,  Scott  county, 
Iowa,  on  the  14th  of  February,  1874,  his  parents  being  Andrew  and 
Amelia  (Haase)  Schnurr,  more  extended  mention  of  whom  is  made 
on  another  page  of  this  work  in  comiection  with  the  sketch  of  \\i\- 
liam  Schnurr,  a  brother  of  our  subject. 

George  Schnurr  accomi)anied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  this 
county,  when  six  years  of  age,  and  here  obtained  his  education.  After 
leaving  school  he  went  to  work  in  the  coal  mines,  being  thus  em- 
ployed until  1893.  ^"  ^'I'l'^  year,  in  association  with  his  brother  and 
father,  he  embarked  in  the  lumber  and  grain  business  at  Otho.  Later 
he  and  his  brother  William  purchased  the  brick  and  tile  plant  of  John- 
son Brothers  near  Kalo,  which  they  have  operated  to  the  present 
time,  under  the  name  of  the  Kalo  Brick  &  Tile  Company,  enlarging  it 
as  the  business  grew  and  expanded  under  their  capable  mangement. 
At  the  present  time  their  daily  output  is  about  eight  carloads.  George 
Schnurr  is  the  president,  a  stockholder  and  a  director  of  the  Otho 
Mercantile  Company,  the  other  officers  of  that  concern  being  as  fol- 
lows:  William  Schnurr,  treasurer;  John  D.  Fortney.  secretary;  Paul 
Scheerer,  vice  president;  and  O.  C.  Hanson,  manager.  Our  subject  is 
a  stockholder  in  the  Leighton  Supply  Company  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa, 
the  Monarch  Telephone  Company  of  b"ort  Dodge  and  the  Fort  Dodge 
National  Bank.  He  owns  an  attractive  residence  in  Otho  and  he  and 
his  brother  William  have  an  excellent  farm  of  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  in  this  county.  He  possesses  untiring  energy,  is  quick 
of  perception,  forms  his  plans  readily  and  is  determined  in  their  execu- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  85 

tion,  and  his  close  application  to  business  and- excellent  management 
have  lirought  to  him  llic  prosperity  wliicli  is  today  his. 

On  the  7th  of  Xovember,  1895,  Mr.  Schnurr  was  joined  in  wed- 
lock to  Miss  Cora  Fortney,  a  daughter  of  David  and  Isabelle  (Todd) 
Fortney,  of  whom  more  extended  mention  is  made  on  another  page 
of  this  work  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  George  William  Fort- 
ney. a  brother  of  Mrs.  Sclmurr.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schnurr  ha\e  one 
child.  Gilbert  A.,  who  is  fifteen  years  of  age. 

5ince  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  George  Schnurr 
has  supported  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  believing 
that  its  principles  are  the  most  conducive  to  good  government.  He  is 
serving  as  postmaster  of  the  town  of  Otho,  ably  discharging  the  duties 
devolving  upon  him  in  that  connection.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a 
Methodist,  while  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  ^lodern  Wood- 
men of  America.  High  and  manly  principles  have  characterized  his 
entire  life,  winning  for  him  a  creditable  position  in  the  regard  of  his 
fellowmen. 


WILLLAAI  J.  McDERMOTT. 

Although  the  life  of  William  J-  JMcDermott  has  not  been  in  any 
way  extraordinary,  his  opportunities  have  been  intelligently  utilized 
and  his  energies  directed  toward  the  achievement  of  success.  He  is 
a  native  of  Wel^ster  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Pleasant 
Valley  township,  in  Xovember,  1869.  and  a  son  of  Ambrose  and 
Bridget  (Lahiffj  McDermott.  Both  are  of  Irish  lineage,  although 
the  father  is  a  native  of  Iowa,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  New 
Hampshire.  .\mbro'se  McDermott  came  to  \\'ebster  county  in  1866, 
locating  in  Pleasant  \alley  township.  Later  lie  removed  to  Fort 
Dodge  and  established  a  lilacksmith  sho]),  wliicli  lie  conducted  for  sex- 
era!  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  purchased  forty  acres  of 
land  in  Jackson  township  and  once  more  identified  himself  with  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  His  efforts  in  this  direction  were  well  rewarded 
and  he  was  subsequently  a1)le  to  extend  his  iioldings  until  lie  iiad  ac- 
quired two  hundred  acres  of  fertile  land.  He  energetically  applied 
himself  to  the  further  improvement  and  cultivation  of  his  farm  until 
1902,  when  he  retired  from  active  work.  His  death  occurred  on 
September  20,  1912. 


86  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

William  J.  AIcDermott  was  reared  at  home  and  educated  in  the 
public  schools.  He  assisted  his  father  in  various  ways  about  the 
farm  until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  when  he  left  home  and 
started  out  for  himself.  Purchasing  eighty  acres  of  his  father's  hold- 
ings in  Jackson  township  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself,  con- 
tinuing his  agricultural  pursuits  for  about  nine  years.  At  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  sold  his  place  and  coming  to  Clare  went  into  the 
insurance  and  real-estate  business,  which  he  has  since  followed.  He 
has  won  the  success  that  invariably  rewards  diligent  effort  and  well 
defined  purpose  and  in  addition  to  a  fine  residence  property  in  Clare, 
owns  a  farm  of  a  hundred  and  seventy-five  acres  in  Clay  county,  Iowa. 
He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Clare  Mutual  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  owns  stock  in  this  enterprise,  of  which  he  is  manager. 

In  June,  1906,  Mr.  McDennott  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  T.  Hood, 
a  daughter  of  John  T.  and  Bridget  (Rial)  Hood,  natives  of  Canada 
and  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  Two  children  have  been  born  of  this 
marriage:  Howard  A.,  who  is  four  years  of  age;  and  Isabelle,  who 
is  two. 

The  parents  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  and 
fraternally  Mr.  McDermott  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus, the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  Politically  he  supports  the  democratic  party.  He  was  sec- 
retary of  the  school  board  in  Jackson  township  for  twelve  years,  and 
he  also  held  the  office  of  trustee.  At  the  present  time  he  is  discharg- 
ing the  duties  of  town  clerk  and  is  secretary  of  the  independent  school 
district.  He  is  a  man  of  laudable  ambition,  earnest  purpose  and  un- 
ceasing energy,  which  qualities  have  constituted  dominant  factors  in 
the  achievement  of  his  success. 


STEWART  CARTER. 

'Ihe  death  of  Stewart  Carter  occurred  on  Xoveniber  i,  1861.  He 
was  born  in  Virginia,  February  14,  182 1,  and  his  parents,  Edwin  and 
Judith  (Carter)  Carter,  were  also  natives  of  that  state.  They  re- 
moved to  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  when  the  subject  of  our  sketch  was  a 
child  and  he  received  his  early  training  and  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  city.  Upon  putting  aside  his  books  Stewart  Carter 
entered  the  army,  and  his  distinguished  military  sen-ice  is  still  remem- 
bered and  commented  upon  in  St.  Louis.  He  served  the  government 
as  assistant  paymaster  during  the  war  with  Mexico,  and  after  hostil- 


HISTORY  OF  WKBSTF.R  COL'NTY  87 

ities  had  ceased  he  went  to  Washington,  D.  C,  and  was  there  (Hs- 
charged.  He  immediately  returned  to  St.  Louis  and  was  acti\e  in 
the  banking  business  for  many  years.  He  was  widely  known  as  an 
honorable,  sagacious  and  conservative  financier,  whose  activities  were 
largely  responsible  for  the  growth  of  the  institution  with  which  he 
was  connected.  He  gained  a  reputation  in  St.  Louis  for  the  sound 
and  concise  policies,  along  which  his  banking  transactions  were  con- 
ducted, and  no  breath  of  suspicion  was  ever  connected  with  his  name. 
He  died  on  November  i,  1861,  after  an  illness  of  only  fi\-e  days.  He 
left  behind  him  a  wife  and  three  children  to  mourn  his  loss. 

Mr.  Carter's  marriage  occurred  I~)eceml).M-  14,  1854.  His  wife  in 
her  maidenhood  bore  the  name  of  Mary  Rhodes,  who  was  born  in 
\^irginia.  February  9,  1835.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Hillary  and  Marion 
(Carter)  Rhodes,  who  were  prominent  residents  of  Virginia,  in  which 
state  her  mother  died  when  Mrs.  Carter  was  eight  years  of  age.  After 
her  death  the  husl)and  and  family  rcmuved  to  St.  Louis,  Missouri, 
where  the  daughter  Mary  was  reared  and  educated.  Mary  Rhodes 
was  married  in  that  city  and  after  her  husband's  death  removed  with 
her  children  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  traveling  here  by  stage  coach  at  a 
time  when  there  were  no  railroads.  Li  1865  she  bought  the  beautiful 
home  of  Dr.  Pease  on  the  corner  of  Fourth  street  and  Fifth  avenue, 
which  was  the  residence  of  this  first  and  well  known  physician  in 
Fort  Dodge.  She  resided  here  until  188 1,  when  she  rented  her  prop- 
erty and  removed  to  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  where  she  made  her  home 
until  May,  i8g6.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  however,  she  returned 
to  Fort  Dodge,  and  again  took  up  her  home  in  the  old  residence  in  this 
city,  where  she  is  now  living.  The  house  may  well  be  termed 
one  of  the  historical  buildings  in  the  city.  It  was  built  in  1857 
and  the  Ijrick  for  this  building,  which  was  one  of  the  imposing 
structures  of  its  day,  had  to  be  hauled  by  wagon  from  Dubuque, 
Iowa.  The  house  was  built  for  the  purpose  of  a  doctor's  of- 
fice but  it  was  also  the  home  of  other  tenants  which  are  of  more  or 
less  interest  to  the  general  pul)lic.  While  the  first  courthouse  was  in 
course  of  construction  and  pending  its  erection,  court  was  held  in 
the  upper  story  of  the  house  and  at  the  same  time  a  Iiasement  room 
was  used  as  the  postoffice.  In  another  ])art  of  the  lower  story  was 
conducted  the  only  drug  store  existing  at  that  time  in  the  city.  The 
house  even  today,  after  standing  over  fifty  years,  is  in  an  excellent 
state  of  preservation  and  here  Mrs.  Carter  still  makes  her  home.  The 
site  where  it  stands  is  that  of  old  Fort  Dodge  and  the  band  stand 
in  the  city  jiark  now  occu])ies  land  where  the  old  ])arade  grounds  were, 


88  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

while  the  new  Wauhkonsa  school  stands  on  the  place  where  once  the 
soldiers'  mess  house  was.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stewart  Carter  were  the 
parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Edwin  S.,  who  died  in  1883  when 
he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age :  John  F.,  who  died  December  22, 
191 1,  after  an  illness  of  only  six  days  with  typhoid  pneumonia,  and 
who  was  a  prominent  and  wealthy  jeweler  of  Fort  Dodge  and  pro- 
prietor of  the  Carter  Jewelry  Company,  which  enterprise  his  widow 
is  now  conducting;  and  Anna  S..  who  is  residing  with  her  mother. 

Mrs.  Carter  and  her  daughter  affiliate  with  St.  Marks  Episcopal 
church  of  Fort  Dodge,  and  are  well  and  favorably  known  in  religious 
circles  of  that  city.  The  prosperity  which  they  now  enjoy  they  owe  to 
the  efforts  of  Stewart  Carter  whose  activities  in  financial  circles  of  St. 
Louis  resulted  in  his  accumulation  of  a  comforable  fortune.  The 
character  of  the  work  which  he  did  during  his  life  and  the  prominence 
of  the  place  which  he  obtained  were  evidenced  In-  tiie  deep  regret 
which  attended  his  death.  He  won  prosi)eritv.  but  he  was  a  man  who 
valued  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  friends  higher  than  business  suc- 
cess, and  was  happy  in  the  attainment  of  both  ambitions. 


M AF'JY  ALICE  CAREY. 


Mary  .Mice  Carey  is  tilling  llic  position  of  county  superintendent 
of  scluKils  and  is  making  an  e.xccllent  record  in  that  connection.  She 
has  given  proof  of  her  ability  as  an  educator  and  she  keeps  in  close 
touch  with  the  most  advanced  ideas  on  educational  matters.  A  native  _ 
of  Hazclton,  Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania,  she  is  a  daughter  of 
James  and  Mary  (McCabe)  Carey,  who  were  natives  of  Ireland,  thc 
former  l)orn  in  County  Tipperary  and  the  latter  in  County  Cavan. 

Mai-y  Alice  Carey  was  Iirought  to  Fort  Dodge  in  early  girlhood  and 
has  here  s])ent  the  greater  part  of  her  life.  She  was  educated  in  the 
parochial  schools  and  w-as  graduated  from  the  Lady  of  Lourdes  Acad- 
emy, in  charge  of  the  Sisters  of  Mercy.  She  then  began  teaching, 
having  charge  of  a  school  in  Buena  \'ista  county,  while  later  she  be- 
came a  teacher  of  Webster  county,  l^eing  identified  with  the  work  of 
the  schools  here  for  twenty-eight  years.  Li  this  connection  she  made 
a  creditable  record,  imparting  clearly  and  readily  to  others  the  knowl- 
edge that  she  had  acquired.  She  was  appointed  county  superintendent 
of  schools  in  September,  1909,  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term  of  E.  E. 
Cavanaugh,  who  resigned,  and  in  1910  she  was  elected  to  the  office. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  89 

She  has  always  been  interested  in  educational  matters,  seeking  prog- 
ress along  those  lines,  and  she  takes  an  active  part  in  teachers'  meet- 
ings. Her  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Catholic  church.  She  be- 
longs to  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters  and  is  president  of  the  Young 
Ladies's  Sodality  of  Corpus  Christi  church. 


ERNEST  L.  WEISS. 


Ernest  L.  Weiss  owns  and  cultixates  a  large  farm  in  Cooper  town- 
ship, Webster  county,  and  by  constant  application  has  gained  an  en- 
viable degree  of  prosperity.  He  was  born  in  Cook  county,  Illinois, 
where  Maywood  is  now  located,  on  the  14th  of  May,  1864,  a  son  of 
F.  L.  and  Rcinhekla  (Gunther)  Weiss.  The  father  came  from  Ger- 
many to  America  with  his  parents  when  he  was  but  sixteen  years  of 
age.  The  family  located  in  Cook  county  and  in  that  early  day  fre- 
quently drove  with  ox  teams  to  Chicago  when  there  were  only  two 
stores  in  that  city.  The  grandfather  entered  land  in  that  vicinity  and 
the  father  at  one  time  owned  the  property  upon  which  the  Chicago 
&  Northwestern  Railroad  tracks  from  Chicago  to  Maywood  are  now 
laid.  He  improved  his  farm  and  was  engaged  in  operating  it  until 
1870,  when  he  disposed  of  it  and  came  to  \\'ebster  county,  Iowa.  In 
this  county  he  purchased'one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Cooper  tow  n- 
ship  at  fifty  dollars  an  acre  and  later  added  ten  acres.  He  immediately 
began  improving  the  property  and  was  busily  engaged  in  clearing  and 
cultivating  it  until  1890.  In  that  year  he  rented  his  property,  retired 
and  removed  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  May  25,  1893.    The  mother  passed  away  in  February,  1901. 

Ernest  L.  \\'eiss  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Fort  Dodge.  Being  but  six  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed 
here,  he  has  spent  almost  his  entire  life  within  the  confines  of  the 
county.  Until  his. father  retired  and  removed  from  his  farm  he  re- 
mained at  home.  Afterward  he  rented  the  farm,  which  he  operated 
until  1896,  the  year  in  which  he  purchased  the  home  place.  His  entire 
active  career  has  been  spent  upon  the  farm  and  during  that  period  he 
has  been  a  most  active  factor  in  bringing  its  fields  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation  and  he  has  made  many  substantial  improvements.  Few 
farms  in  Cooper  township  present  a  more  thrifty  appearance.  Not 
only  is  it  all  under  a  high  state  of  culti\ation  but  the  buildings  and 
machinery  with  which  it  is  equipped  are  all  of  the  most  modern  and 


90  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

improved  kind.  Mr.  Weiss  raises  from  fifty  to  ninety  head  of  hogs 
each  year  and  keeps  about  twenty-five  head  of  cattle  and  eleven  head 
of  horses.  He  also  cultivates  one  hundred  and  seven  acres  of  rented 
land. 

On  the  24th  of  IMay,  1888,  Mr.  Weiss  was  married  to  Miss  Bertha 
Weiss,  a  daughter  of  Ernest  and  Wilhelmina  (Beecher)  Weiss, 
natives  of  Germany.  The  father  came  direct  to  Webster  county, 
Iowa,  when  he  left  hii;  native  land  in  1876  and  immediately  accepted 
employment  in  the  Coalville  inines.  For  about  five  years  he  worked 
there  before  going  to  Humboldt  county  and  purchasing  forty  acres  of 
land,  w  hich  he  immediately  began  to  improve.  As  he  was  financially 
able  to  do  so,  he  purchased  additional  property  and  at  one  time  he 
owned  four  hundred  acres.  He  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  14th  of  May,  1898.  The 
mother's  death  occurred.  January  13,  1908.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  L. 
Weiss  five  children  iia\e  been  born:  Alma,  who  is  the  wife  of  the 
Rev.  William  Schaffer  and  resides  in  Martinsburg,  Nebraska;  Alvin, 
Walter  and  Emma,  all  at  home ;  and  IMatilda.  who  is  attending  the 
German  Lutheran  school  at  Fort  Dodge. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Weiss  has  long  been  a  stalwart  democrat 
and.  though  he  has  not  been  a  ]:)olitician  in  the  sense  of  seeking 
ofiice,  he  is  ever  loyal  to  the  best  interests  of  the  community  and  has 
served  as  road  supen-isor  of  his  township.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
German  Investment  Company  and  also  the  Commercial  National  Bank 
of  Fort  Dodge.  In  his  religious  faith  he  is  a  Lutheran  and  he  and 
his  family  hcil<l  mcmlicrslii])  in  tlie 'German  Lutheran  church  of  Fort 
Dodge.  Prominent  in  the  county  where  he  has  resided  for  many 
years,  he  well  deserves  representation  in  this  volume,  for  his  social 
qualities  have  made  him  many  friends,  while  his  business  record  is 
creditable  and  cn\iable. 


HUGH  COLLINS. 


Hugh  Collins  was  among  the  early  settlers  of  W'ebster  county, 
taking  up  his  abode  in  Jackson  township  in  1855.  He  was  a  native 
of  Ireland  and  followed  farming  as  his  life  occupation,  passing  away 
on  the  9th  of  September,  1889,  just  two  3-ears  after  the  death  of  his 
wife,  Mrs.  Catherine  CRussell)  Collins.  Their  son,  Michael  H.  Col- 
lins, is  at  the  present  time,  cashier  of  the  State  Bank  of  Clare,  which 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  91 

is  one  of  the  firmly  established  and  conservati\e  financial  institutions 
of  Webster  county,  with  a  paid  up  capital  of  twenty-five  thousand 
dollars.  Its  officials  all,  are  men  of  recognized  business  ability  and 
well  tried  integrity  whose  honorable  dealings  and  sound  principles 
have  won  them  the  confidence  of  the  communitv. 


JOHN  F.  FORD. 


John  F.  Ford  is  well  known  in  business  circles  of  Fort  Dodge  as 
proprietor  of  the  Berryhill  Book  and  Stationery  Store  and  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  public  life  of  the  city  as  the  mayor  of  Fort 
Dodge.  He  was  born  in  this  city,  on  the  25th  of  November,  1864, 
his  parents  being  Walter  and  Mary  (Gar\'ey)  Ford,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  came  to  America  in  1855,  locat- 
ing immediately  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa.  He  spent  a  number  of  years 
as  a  teamster  before  he  took  up  a  claim  in  Pocahontas  county,  just 
across  the  line  from  Webster.  For  twenty  years  he  was  occupied  in 
clearing  and  improving  this  property  and  during  that  time  proved 
himself  to  be  a  most  capable  agriculturist.  Disposing  of  his  prop- 
erty, he  removed  to  Clare,  Webster  county,  where  he  lived  retired  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  June,  1908.  The  mother  passed  away 
in  1883. 

John  F.  Ford  pursued  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Iowa 
and  remained  at  home  until  he  reached  his  majority.  At  that  time  he 
engaged  in  farming  independently,  purchasing  property  in  Webster 
county.  Until  1S93  ^'^^  &3.ve  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  cultivat- 
ing his  farm  and  making  it  one  of  the  most  highly  productive  tracts 
in  his  section.  In  that  year,  however,  he  catne  to  Fort  Dodge  and 
entered  the  county  auditor's  office  as  deputy.  He  sen-ed  in  that  ca- 
pacity for  six  years.  By  the  end  of  that  time  he  had  shown  his  abil- 
ity and  he  was  elected  auditor,  an  office  which  he  held  for  six  years. 
Prior  to  that  time  he  had  purchased  an  interest  in  the  Berryhill  Com- 
pany, dealers  in  stationery  and  office  supplies.  Consequently,  upon 
leaving  the  auditor's  office  he  entered  the  Berryhill  Company  and 
was  made  its  manager.  At  a  later  date  he  purchased  the  entire  stock 
and  he  is  now  conducting  the  store  at  Nos.  919-921  Central  avenue. 
He  deals  exclusively  in  books  and  stationery  and  his  accurate  knowl- 
edge of  his  stock,  combined  with  good  business  ability,  has  made  his 
venture  a  success  from  the  beginning  and  his  investment  a  profitable 
one. 


92  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

On  the  27th  of  September,  1893,  Mr.  Ford  was  married  to  Miss 
Nellie  Howard,  a  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Mary  (Butler)  Howard, 
natives  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  America  at  an  early  day  and  located 
in  Canada.  The  father's  death  occurred  in  that  country  and  the 
mother  removed  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  she  was  later  married 
to  Thomas  Brennan.  an  agriculturist  of  Webster  county.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ford  five  cliildren  have  been  born,  Howard,  Ellen,  Charlotte, 
Mary  and  Alice. 

Mr.  F'ord  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  in  March, 
191 1,  was  elected  mayor  of  Fort  Dodge  under  the  commission  plan 
of  government.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Catholic.  He  holds  mem- 
bership in  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  The 
Knights  of  Columbus  and  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  He  is 
a  congenial,  affable  man,  who  by  reason  of  his  enterprise,  persever- 
ance and  business  capacity  has  taken  a  prominent  place  among  Fort 
Dodge's  successful  citizens. 


'lina'LIOL'S  McXEELY. 

Theulious  McXeely  was  l)nrn  in  Illinois,  April  16,  1838,  and 
died  in  Duncombe,  Iowa,  on  January  9,  1910,  in  his  seventy-second 
year.  During  his  long  life  he  had  many  claims  to  the  respect  and  es- 
teem of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was  an  early  settler  in  Webster  coun- 
ty, a  prominent  and  successful  farmer  and  an  honored  veteran  of 
the  Civil  war.  His  death  was  widely  and  deeply  regretted,  for  his 
upright  life  and  his  liigh  standards  of  conduct  had  gained  him  many 
friends.  He  was  a  resident  of  Webster  county  for  over  half  a  cen- 
tury, coming  to  Washington  township  in  1855  with  his  parents  from 
Illinois.  He  was  a  son  of  James  and  Martha  (  Broomhall)  McXeely, 
the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  Virginia, 
both  of  Irish  ancestry.  The  father  was  a  tailor  by  trade  and  worked 
at  that  occupation  in  Illinois  for  some  years.  Upon  coming  to  Web- 
ster county  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land  in 
Washington  townshi]),  which  he  improved  and  operated  until  his 
death  in  1884.     He  was  svu-vived  by  his  wife  until  the  fall  of  1893. 

Theulious  McNeely  was  reared  and  educated  in  Illinois  and  was 
sixteen  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  remained  at  home 
until  January,  1862,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  One  Hundred 


n 


U^j  yiY^'t^J'^^'w 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  95 

and  Sixtieth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry.  On  Septemlaer  19,  of  the  fol- 
lowing year,  at  the  battle  of  luka,  Mississippi,  he  received  a  severe 
gun-shot  wound  and  was  soon  afterward  again  disabled.  On  account 
of  this  he  was  disqualified  for  further  service  and  returned  home 
settling  upon  his  father's  farm.  He  remained  at  home  until  the 
father's  death  when  he  inherited  the  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
which  constituted  the  homestead.  He  made  many  improvements 
upon  the  property  and  operated  it  until  1893,  when  he  retired  from 
active  life.  During  the  years  in  which  he  followed  general  farm- 
ing he  gained  a  gratifying  degree  of  success  by  always  following  mod- 
ern and  progressive  methods  and  keeping  abreast  of  agricultural 
advancement.  When  he  abandoned  farming  he  moved  to  Dun- 
combe,  where  he  erected  a  fine  home  in  which  he  resided  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  January  9,  19 10,  after  a  few  months' 
illness. 

On  December  26,  1859,  ]\Ir.  McNeely  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Eugenia  Serrissa  Clark,  a  daughter  of  Joel  and  Betsy  (Hill) 
Clark,  the  former  a  native  of  Vermont  and  the  latter  of  Massa- 
chusetts. Her  father  came  to  Webster  county,  Iowa,  in  1855  and 
purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  ^^'ebster  township,  which  he  cul- 
tivated and  improved  for  a  number  of  years,  later  buying  forty  ad- 
joining acres.  Ele  engaged  in  general  farming  until  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  war  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  One  Hundred  and 
Sixtieth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  as  fifer.  He  was  later 
transferred  to  Company  F,  and  was  discharged  after  one  year  of 
service  on  account  of  sickness.  He  returned  home  and  operated  his 
farm  in  Webster  county  until  his  death  which  occurred  in  1887. 
He  had  long  survived  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  1857.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  ]\IcXeely  had  an  adopted  son,  \A'illiam,  who  passed  away  in 
1878  and  also  undertook  the  education  of  Mrs.  McXeely's  younger 
sister,  who  is  deceased,  Ixit  whose  daughter  is  now  making  her  home 
with  the  wife  of  our  subject.  She  was  in  her  maidenhood  Miss 
Genie  Ford,  and  is  now  the  widow  of  William  Spike. 

In  his  political  afiiliations  Mr.  McNeely  was  a  consistent  dem- 
ocrat. He  was  honored  by  his  fellow  citizens  by  election  to  the 
mayor's  chair  and  served  in  that  important  ofiice  for  four  years  to 
the  general  satisfaction  of  the  puljlic,  making  a  record  of  which  he 
had  every  reason  to  be  proud.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America,  his  only  fraternal  affiliation.  He  was  a  de- 
vout adherent  of  the  Methodist  church,  to  which  religion  his  wife 
also  gives  her  allegiance.     His  death  was  the  occasion  of  widespread 


96  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

regret,  for  his  life  had  been  in  all  its  relations  useful  and  upright. 
He  attained  success  gradually,  working  his  way  forward  until  he 
occupied  a  foremost  position  among  the  leading  agriculturists  of  this 
section  of  the  state,  his  life  proving  conclusively  that  success  is 
the  result  of  determination  and  honoralile  methods. 


EUGENE  M  DUNNING. 

For  nearly  forty  years  Eugene  Dunning,  a  resident  of  Fort  Dodge, 
has  been  in  the  livery  business  in  this  city.  He  was  born  in  Kenosha 
county,  Wisconsin,  November  21,  1846,  a  son  of  C.  P.  and  Rachel 
G.  (Gordineer)  Dunning.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Scotland  and 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Ripon,  Wisconsin.  He  engaged  in  the 
livery  and  elevator  business  in  that  town  for  several  years  before  re- 
moving to  Chicago,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  which  occurred 
in  1901.  The  mother  was  a  native  of  New  'S'ork  state  and  her  death 
occurred  in  1903.     They  are  buried  at  I-^ort  Dodge. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Ripon.  Wisconsin,  Eugene  M.  Dunning 
acquired  his  education.  He  resided  there  continuously  until  he  was 
twentv-five  years  of  age  with  the  excei)tion  of  the  time  lie  served  in 
the  Civil  war.  He  enli.sted  in  Company  B,  Forty-first  Wisconsin 
N'olunteer  Infantry  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  After  his  return  home 
he  completed  his  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  years  he  came 
to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  and  engaged  in  the  li\ery  business.  He  had 
conducted  a  small  establishment  for  seven  years  in  Ripon  and  re- 
moved his  stock  here  from  that  city.  Because  of  his  long  connection 
with  the  business  he  is  one  of  the  most  thorough  horsemen  and  livery- 
men in  Fort  Dodge. 

Mr.  Dunning  has  been  twice  married.  In  1S71  he  wedded  Miss 
Josephine  Ellis,  a  daughter  of  O.  R.  and  Mattie  (Benedict)  Ellis, 
natives  of  Xew  York  state.  To  this  union  one  child  was  born.  Claude, 
now  deceased.  Mrs.  Dunning"s  death  occurred  in  1887.  In  1889 
Mr.  Dunning  was  married  to  Miss  Addie  Keltz.  a  daughter  of  Adam 
and  Eliza  (Wilson)  Keltz,  nati\es  of  renns\l\ania  Init  of  Scotch  de- 
scent. The  father  came  to  Boone,  Iowa,  at  an  early  date,  and  edited  a 
newspaper  in  that  city.  Subsequently  he  removed  to  Webster  county, 
took  up  a  claim  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  imtil  1898.  In 
that  year  he  retired  and  removed  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  resided  until 
he  went  to  Ocean  Springs.  Mississippi,  to  spend  the  winter.    There  he 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  97 

contracted  smallpox  wliich  caused  his  death  in  1900  The  mother 
is  living  in  Fort  Dodge  at  the  age  of  se\-enty-seven  years.  To  Mr. 
Dunning's  second  union  one  child  was  born,  Jean  E.,  who  is  twenty 
years  of  age  and  is  an  accomplished  musician,  having  for  six  years 
played  clarinet  in  the  Y.  M.  C.  A  orchestra  and  being  leader  of  three 
organizations  of  that  kind. 

Mr.  Dunning  is  a  republican.  He  iiolds  membership  in  the  Ma- 
sonic lodge  and  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  is  also  affiliated 
with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repul)lic  and 
the  Iowa  Legion  of  Honor.  Mrs.  Dunning  is  affiliated  with  the  Pres- 
byterian church  and  the  daughter  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational 
church.  Mr.  Dunning  has  a  wide  acquaintance  in  tlie  city,  where  most 
of  his  life  has  been  spent  and  where  he  lias  had  such  a  long  business 
-career,  and  his  strongly  marked  characteristics  are  such  as  commend 
him  to  the  trust  and  friendship  of  his  fellowmen. 


DARWIX  GREEN. 


Darwin  Green  is  successfully  engaged  in  l)usiness  as  the  juniijr  mem- 
ber of  tlie  firm  nf  Dawson  &  Green,  cnnducling  a  mercantile  establish- 
ment at  Otho.  His  birth  occurred  in  Joliet,  Illinois,  on  the  13th  of  -\u- 
gust,  1863.  his  parents  being  Charles  and  .\manda  (Gifford)  Green, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father  removed  to 
Illinois  at  a  very  earl}-  date  and  there  worked  at  the  machinist  and  car- 
penter trades  until  1869.  In  that  year  he  drove  across  the  country 
to  Iowa,  locating  in  Humboldt  county,  where  he  remained  until  the 
spring  of  1870.  At  that  time  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Fort  Dodge, 
Webster  county,  where  he  worked  at  his  trade  and  was  employed  as 
pattern  maker  in  a  fnundry.  In  1885  lie  remo\ed  to  Kalo  and  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life  in  honorable  retirement,  passing  away  in 
the  home  of  our  subject  in  April.  1898.  For  two  decades  he  had  sur- 
vived his  wife,  who.se  demise  occurred  on  the  15th  of  .April,  1878. 

Darwin  Green  was  reared  and  educated  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  and 
after  putting  aside  his  text-books  entered  the  service  of  the  Rock 
Island  Railroad.  Subsetiuently  he  was  employed  as  car  checker  by 
the  Minneapolis  &  St.  Louis  Railroad  for  four  years,  on  the  expira- 
tion of  which  period  that  cor])oration  sent  him  to  Kalo  as  agent  and 
operator.  When  the  station  at  that  point  was  closed  he  was  sent  to 
Otho  in  the  same  capacity  and  ably  discharged  the  duties  devolving 


98  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

upon  him  for  about  ten  years.  He  then  resigned  his  position  and  em- 
barked in  the  mercantile  business  in  partnership  with  WilHam  Daw- 
son, with  whom  he  has  since  remained  as  the  junior  member  of  the 
firm  of  Dawson  &  Green.  They  carry  an  extensive  stock  and  enjoy  a 
well  merited  patronage,  winning  and  retaining  customers  by  reason 
of  their  straightforward  and  honorable  business  dealings.  Mr.  Green 
and  his  partner  own  the  store  building  and  the  former  also  has  an 
attractive  residence  in  Otho.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  Otho  and  has  long  enjoyed  an  enviable  reputa- 
tion as  one  of  the  prosperous  and  esteemed  citizens  of  the  comnumity. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1885,  Mr.  Green  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Lottie  E.  Weaver,  who  was  born  at  Morrison,  Illinois,  in 
August,  1864,  her  parents  being  Benjamin  and  \\'ealthy  (Johnson) 
Weaver,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Vermont,  respectively.  The  fa- 
ther was  of  German  descent,  while  the  mother  is  of  Scotch  lineage. 
At  a  period  when  the  Indians  still  inhabited  this  part  of  the  country 
Benjamin  Weaver  journeyed  to  Illinois,  taking  up  his  abode  at  F^ul- 
ton.  He  there  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  for  a  number  of  years 
and  subsequently  removed  to  Morrison,  Illinois,  where  he  passed 
away  in  February,  igoi.  His  widow,  who  has  attained  the  age  of 
seventy-eight  years,  makes  her  home  with  her  children. 

Darwin  Green  is  a  republican  and  loyally  supports  the  men  and 
measures  of  that  party.  From  1903  until  1911  he  served  as  post- 
master of  Otho  in  a  satisfactory  and  commendable  manner.  His  re- 
ligious faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  church,  while  fraternally  he  is 
identified  with  the  .\ncient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  popular  both  in  business  and 
social  life  and  gains  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he 
comes  into  contact. 


J.  AUGUST  LlXDQUISr. 

J.  August  Lin<l(|uist  is  engaged  in  the  men's  clothing  business  in 
Govvrie,  of  which  he  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  successful  busi- 
ness men.  He  was  born,  March  6,  1858,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and 
Mary  (Ahlstrand)  Lindquist.  natives  of  Sweden,  where  the  father 
died  when  the  subject  of  this  review  was  a  child.  The  mother  with 
the  surviving  members  of  her  family  emigrated  to  America  in  June, 
1865,  and  settled  in  Henry  county,  Illinois.     She  was  later  united  in 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  99 

marriage  to  an  uncle  of  our  subject.  Her  second  husband  is  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  war  and  now  resides  in  Dayton,  Iowa.  The  mother  died 
in  Henry  county  in  1873. 

J.  August  Lindquist  was  reared  in  his  mother's  home  and  received 
his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  in  Illinois.  After  his  school 
days  he  was  engaged  at  work  on  a  farm  in  Illinois  until  1881.  In 
September,  of  that  year,  he  took  up  work  with  his  uncle,  who  was 
engaged  in  the  general  mercantile  business,  and  continued  in  that 
occupation  imtil  1889.  He  then  obtained  the  position  as  cashier  in 
the  Webster  County  State  Bank  and  remained  in  that  position  for  two 
and  one-half  years,  after  which  time  he  returned  to  the  general  mer- 
chandising business  of  his  uncle,  with  whom  he  remained  for  one  year, 
when  the  business  was  sold  to  Hoff  Brothers.  He  remained  with  the 
new  firm  for  one  year.  In  1894  he  established  himself  in  the  cloth- 
ing business  in  Gowrie,  to  which  he  has  since  continued  to  devote  his 
attention.  He  operates  his  business  under  the  firm  name  of  Lind- 
quist Brothers. 

Mr.  Lindquist  was  united  in  marriage  in  Gowrie,  July  30,  1885, 
to  Miss  Olivia  Larson,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  Larson. 
The  father  died  in  Henry  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lindquist  three 
children  were  born:  Daisy,  who  is  the  wife  of  A.  C.  Norman,  a  car- 
penter contractor  of  Gowrie,  by  whom  she  has  one  child,  Ruth  Norma ; 
Ruth,  a  graduate  of  the  high  school,  who  is  a  music  teacher  and  or- 
ganist of  the  Lutheran  church;  and  Carl  G.,  who  died  in  infancy. The 
mother  of  this  family  died  in  1895  and  the  father  was  married  in 
February,  1906,  to  Miss  Adla  Liljegren,  a  daughter  of  S.  J.  and  Ma- 
tilda (Bloomquist)  Liljegren.  The  father  was  a  Lutheran  clergyman 
and  died  at  Kiron,  Iowa.  The  mother  now  maintains  her  residence  on 
a  farm  in  Lost  Grove  township.  Mr.  Lindquist  by  his  second  mar- 
riage is  the  father  of  one  son,  Irving  M.,  who  was  born  September 
24,  1908. 

Mr.  Lindquist  is  affiliated  with  the  republican  party  and  has  taken 
a  laudable  interest  in  matters  of  public  importance.  In  1900  he  was 
elected  treasurer  of  Webster  county  and  served  in  this  office  for  four 
years  with  ability,  discharging  his  duties  with  circumspection  and 
promptness  and  looking  after  the  finances  of  his  county  in  just  such 
a  manner  as  he  would  after  his  own  interests.  His  record  based  upon 
absolute  integrity  is  well  remembered  and  highly  appreciated  and  must 
be  a  source  of  gratification  to  him.  He  has  held  various  local  offices 
in  Gowrie  and  as  member  of  the  city  council  has  become  known  as  a 
man  who  stands  for  progress  and  improvement,  having  in  no  incon- 


100  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

siderable  way  contributed  to  the  np-biiilding  of  his  city  and  the  wel- 
fare of  its  people.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lindquist  are  members  of  the  Swed- 
ish Lutheran  church.  He  is  a  man  whose  integrity  in  business  af- 
fairs has  never  been  questioned  and  one  wiiose  high  ideals  of  character 
place  him  among  the  influential,  desirable  citizens  of  his  city  and 
county. 


JOHN  D.  FORTNEY. 


John  D.  Fortiiey,  a  successful  and  esteemed  citizen  of  Otho,  is  well 
known  in  business  circles  as  secretary,  director  and  a  stockholder  of 
the  Otho  Mercantile  Company  and  also  as  bookkeeper  for  the  Kalo 
Brick  &  Tile  Company.  His  birth  occurred  in  Otho  township,  this 
county,  on  the  19th  of  December,  1876,  his  parents  being  David  and 
Isabelle  (Todd)  Fortney,  more  extended  mention  of  wliom  is  made 
on  another  page  of  this  work  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  George 
\\'illiam  Fortney.  a  lirother  of  our  subject. 

John  D.  Fortney  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of 
Webster  county  and  subsequently  continued  his  studies  in  Ellsworth 
College  at  Iowa  Falls,  while  later  he  entered  Tobin  College  of  Fort 
Dodge,  Iowa.  After  leaving  the  latter  institution,  being  well  qualified 
for  the  work  as  he  had  been  reared  in  the  atmosphere  of  mercantile 
life,  he  went  into  the  grain  and  live  stock  business  in  association  with 
his  father,  who  conducted  a  general  store,  also.  When  his  father 
had  sold  out  our  subject  became  identified,  in  1900,  with  the  Great 
Western  Elevator  Company  at  Otho,  remaining  in  charge  of  that 
business  for  five  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  lie  resigned 
and  took  charge  of  a  farmers'  elevator  at  Moorland,  which  he  man- 
aged until  the  ist  of  February,  1908.  He  then  accepted  the  position 
of  bookkeeper  with  the  Kalo  Brick  &  Tile  Company  and  in  that  ca- 
pacity has  continued  to  the  present  time.  He  is  also  the  secretary,  a 
stockholder  and  a  director  of  the  Otho  Mercantile  Company,  which 
concern  owns  a  new  and  modern  two-story  brick  building  and  car- 
ries a  comprehensive  stock  of  goods.  The  second  floor  of  the  struc- 
ture is  used  as  an  opera  house.  In  association  with  his  brother, 
George  William,  John  D.  Fortney  owns  an  interest  in  a  farm  in  Hum- 
boldt county. 

On  the  6th  of  March,  1901,  Mr.  Fortney  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Elma  Mclntire,  a  daughter  of  Elisha  and  Ann  Mclntire,  natives 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  101 

of  Illinois.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fortney  have  been  born  two  children, 
as  follows :  ]\Iadge  Lucile.  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  30th  of  March, 
1903,  and  who  died  on  the  6th  of  September.  1906;  and  Isabelle 
Maxine,  whose  natal  day  was  March  16,  191 1. 

John  D.  Fortney  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is 
now  serving  as  trustee  of  Otho  township,  while  formerly  he  acted  as 
township  clerk  for  many  years.  He  belongs  to  the  local  organization 
of  the  Alodern  Woodmen  of  America.  A  lifelong  resident  of  Web- 
ster countv.  he  has  been  closely  associated  with  its  interests  for  a  num- 
l)er  of  years  and  during  that  time  has  become  widely  known  through- 
out the  community,  his  many  excellent  traits  of  character  winning 
him  a  circle  of  friends  which  is  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle 
of  his  acquaintances. 


OLAF  .MARTIX   OLESON. 

Ulaf  Martin  Oleson  was  born  in  Stod  parish,  Trondhjem 
county,  Norway,  June  29,  1849,  'i'^  parents  being  Ole  and  Olava 
(Brunstad)  Five,  who  were  natives  of  the  same  country.  The 
father  was  a  schoolteacher  for  a  number  of  years  and  at  the  same 
time  carried  on  farming.  He  was  recognized  as  a  public-spirited 
citizen  and  capably  tilled  a  number  of  public  offices.  Both  he 
and  his  wife  passed  away  in  1881,  he  being  then  about  ninety-two 
vears  of  age.  Their  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Lutheran 
church  and  to  its  teachings  they  were  ever  loyal.  In  the  family 
were  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters:  Martha; 
Lorense;  Eilert ;  Caroline;  Ingebrigt,  who  died  in  America;  Ole; 
and  Olaf.  With  the  exception  of  the  last  named  those  still  liv- 
ing are  all  residents  of  Xorw  ay. 

O.  M.  Oleson  was  reared  in  llic  land  of  the  midnight  sun  and 
there  received  a  common-scboul  education.  His  early  experi- 
ences were  those  of  the  farm  boy  but  in  his  youth  he  made  his 
way  to  Christiania.  tiie  capital,  where  he  secured  employment 
with  a  florist  and  l.indscapc  gardener.  Thinking  that  better  op- 
portunities would  lie  afffirdcd  in  the  new  world,  he  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1870  and  secured  a  position  upon  a  farm  near 
Fort  Dodge,  being  thus  employed  for  two  years.  .\t  the  end  of 
that   time   he   became   connected   with    the   drug   trade   and   has 


102  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

continuously  engaged  in  that  business  to  the  present  time.  He 
started  in  a  small  way  but  has  built  up  a  fine  business.  He  grad- 
uated from  the  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy,  in  1870. 

Selling  good  goods  at  the  right  price  has  been  the  principal  feature 
in  his  success  and  as  president  of  the  Oleson  Drug  Company  he 
is  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  important  mercantile  enterprises  of 
the  city.  He  is  president  of  the  Fort  Dodge  Telephone  Company, 
of  the  Fort  Dodge  Light  &  Power  Company,  also  of  the  Oleson 
Land  Company,  the  Fort  Dodge  Hotel  Company  and  the  Iowa 
Trust  &  Live  Stock  Company. 

Mr.  Oleson  has  been  married  twice.  He  first  wedded  Lucy 
Deming,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Mariette  (Belcher)  Deming, 
who  came  from  the  state  of  New  Y'ork  and  lived  in  Webster 
county  for  many  years.  Mrs.  Oleson  passed  away  in  1904.  Mr. 
Oleson  was  again  married  to  Miss  Julia  Haskell,  a  native  of 
this  city  and  a  daughter  of  A.  E.  and  Martha  G.  Haskell,  who 
were  born  in  Connecticut  but  became  early  settlers  of  Fort 
Dodge.  Her  father  was  connected  with  staging  in  the  early 
days  both  in  Iowa  and  on  the  Pacific  coast.  Mrs.  Oleson  is  a 
member  of  the  Congregational  church,  while  Mr.  Oleson  still 
belongs  to  St.  Olaf's  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  is  treasurer. 
In  politics  Mr.  Oleson  stands  with  the  progressive  element  which 
is  seeking  the  betterment  of  political  conditions  and  endeavoring 
to  thwart  the  use  of  the  party  for  individual  or  corporation  inter- 
ests instead  of  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  great  majority.  He 
was  elected  state  senator  and  he  represented  his  district  in  the 
upper  house  of  the  general  assembly  in  1892  and  1894. 


JULIUS  C.  FALLON. 

One  of  the  enterprising  and  progressive  agriculturists  of  Douglas 
township  is  Julius  C.  Fallon,  who  owns  a  well  improved  farm  on 
section  9  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  is  meeting  with  success.  He 
is  a  native  of  Webster  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  the  town- 
ship where  he  now  resides  on  the  17th  of  August,  1870.  His  father 
was  John  Fallon,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  America  with  his 
parents  when  a  child  of  two  years.  The  family  located  at  Moore's 
Village  and  there  John  Fallon  was  reared  and  educated  and  acquired 
his  early  agricultural  training.  In  1866  he  came  to  Iowa  and  pur- 
chased one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Douglas  township,  this 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  10;-5 

county.  He  immediately  began  cultivating  his  farm,  meeting  with 
such  success  that  he  was  later  able  to  increase  his  holdings  until  at 
one  time  he  held  the  title  to  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  He  was 
diligent  and  enterprising  and  the  development  of  his  property  en- 
gaged his  undivided  attention  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the 
9th  of  December,  1896.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Mary  Gannon,  is  a  nati\'e  of  New  York  city.  She  is 
seventy-two  years  of  age  and  continues  to  make  her  home  on  the 
farm,  where  she  has  resided  since  early  womanhood. 

Born  and  reared  amid  pioneer  conditions,  Julius  C.  Fallon  passed 
his  early  life  very  much  as  did  the  other  youths  living  in  the  rural 
sections  of  Iowa  at  that  period.  He  attended  the  district  school  in 
the  acquirement  of  an  education,  and  during  his  spare  hours  assisted 
about  the  farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  rented  eighty 
acres  of  land  from  his  father  and  began  farming  for  himself.  His 
training  had  been  thorough  and  he  was  well  qualified  to  begin  his 
independent  career,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  capable  and  successful 
manner  in  v^fhich  he  directed  his  undertakings.  Six  years  later  he 
purchased  a  part  of  the  old  homestead,  on  which  he  has  wrought 
extensive  improvements  during  the  period  of  his  ownership,  making 
it  one  of  the  most  valuable  properties  in  the  district.  Subsequently 
he  bought  another  eighty  acres  of  the  home  place,  but  he  sold  this 
tract  to  his  brother-in-law.'  Since  he  never  married  Mr.  Fallon  em- 
ploys the  services  of  a  man  and  his  wife,  the  former  assisting  about 
the  farm  while  the  latter  tlocs  the  housekeeping.  He  engages  in 
both  diversified  farming  and  stock-raising  and  is  meeting  with  suc- 
cess in  both  lines  of  activity,  as  he  gives  careful  attention  to  details. 
He  annually  markets  about  fifty  hogs,  raises  such  cattle  as  are 
needed  about  the  place  and  keeps  twelve  head  of  horses.  His  pro- 
gressiveness  is  evidenced  by  the  general  appearance  and  condi- 
tion of  his  property  and  stock,  as  well  as  by  the  many  modern 
conveniences  and  appliances  which  have  been  installed  aI)out  his 
farm.  I  lis  eciuipment  comprises  every  machine  or  implement 
deemed  essential  by  the  modern  agriculturist,  and  he  keeps  a 
touring  car  for  his  convenience  and  pleasure.  Mr.  Fallon  is  dili- 
gent and  enterprising  and  earnestly  applies  himself  to  anything 
he  undertakes  with  the  firm  conviction  that  he  is  going  to  make 
a  success  of  it,  and  this  he  invariably  does.  He  takes  great 
])ri(le  in  his  farm  and  is  constantly  making  plans  for  its  further  im- 
provement and  development,  and  each  year  shows  progress  in  tliis 
direction.     He  likes  his  work  and  enjoys  the  hfe  of  a  farmer,  and 


104  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

while  he  is   fully  aware  of   its  disadvantages,    feels   that   there   are 
compensations. 

Despite  the  exactions  of  his  business  he  has  always  devoted  con- 
siderable time  to  local  political  affairs,  supporting  the  democratic 
party.  At  the  present  time  he  is  one  of  the  county  trustees,  and  is 
discharging  his  official  duties  in  a  manner  highly  satisfactory  to  his 
constituency  and  the  community  at  large.  He  is  a  communicant  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  church.  Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the 
Eagles,  being  a  member  of  the  lodge  at  F'ort  Dodge.  Mr.  F""allon  is 
popular  and  has  many  friends,  as  he  possesses  the  affable  and  genial 
manner  generally  characteristic  of  the  Celt,  while  in  both  business 
and  public  affairs  he  manifests  those  cjualities  which  universally  com- 
mand respect. 


P.  T.   FLYNN. 


Varied  and  diversified  business  interests  claim  the  attention  of 
P.  T.  Flynn,  one  of  Webster  county's  enterprising  citizens,  who 
for  twelve  years  has  been  cashier  of  the  Duncombe  Savings  Bank. 
His  birth  occurred  in  Pleasant  Valley  township,  this  county,  in 
the  month  of  August,  1870,  his  parents  being  Timothy  and  Emma 
(Burke)  Flynn,  natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1849,  fii'^t  locating  in  Des  IMoines.  and  to  Weli- 
ster  county  in  1855.  Later  he  took  up  a  homestead  in  Cherokee 
county,  industriously  de\'oting  himself  to  its  further  impro\'ement 
until  1870.  In  the  latter  year  he  disposed  of  his  interests  there 
and  came  to  Webster  county,  continuing  his  agricultural  pur- 
suits in  Pleasant  Valley  township  until  his  death  in  1876.  The 
mother  had  passed  awa\'  two  years  previouslw 

Left  an  orphan  at  the  tender  age  of  six  years.  P.  T.  Flynn 
was  reared  by  his  maternal  grandmother,  Airs.  \\'iimifred  Burke, 
where  he  worked  on  the  farm  and  labored  in  and  around  the 
mines,  attending  the  district  school  at  such  intervals  when  his 
labor  was  not  required  at  home.  So  diligently  did  he  apply  him- 
self to  study,  both  at  school  and  during  the  long  winter  evenings 
at  home,  that  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  was  teaching  school  on  a 
first-grade  certificate.  With  the  money  earned  as  a  country 
schoolteacher,  he  entered  Highland  Park  College  of  Des  Moines, 
in  September,  189T,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1894. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  105 

After  graduation,  he  again  devoted  himself  to  teaching  and  news- 
paper work,  putting  in  some  time  as  city  editor  of  the  Fort  Dodge 
Chronicle  in  189O.  In  1897,  he  entered  Drake  University,  Des 
Moines,  spending  a  year  in  special  work.  In  1898  he  went  to 
North  Dakota,  where  he  received  a  state  certificate  and  taught 
language,  literature  and  higher  mathematics  in  the  graded 
schools. 

In  1900  he  accepted  the  position  of  cashier  in  the  Bank  of  Dun- 
combe,  now  the  Duncombe  Savings  Bank.  This  enterprise,  which 
is  incorporated  for  twenty-live  thousand  dollars,  is  one  of  the 
conservative  and  thriving  banking  institutions  of  \\'ebster  county. 
Peter  Mallinger  is  president;  B.  J.  Stack,  vice  president;  P.  T. 
Flynn,  cashier;  and  L.  V.  Miller  and  John  Heffner,  assistant 
cashiers.  They  are  all  reputable  men.  of  recognized  business 
ability  and  high  standards  of  integrity,  who  enjoy  the  confidence 
of  the  community  by  reason  of  their  upright  principles.  Mr. 
I'lynn  also  engages  in  the  real-estate  business,  in  which  he  has 
met  with  a  good  measure  of  success,  ha\ing  acquired  title  to  about 
one  thousand  two  hundred  acres  of  rich  farming  land  around  Dun- 
combe, besides  valuable  city  property  both  in  Duncombe  and 
Fort  Dodge.  He  is  one  of  the  shareholders  in  the  Duncombe 
Cement  Tile  Company,  and  owns  a  one-third  interest  in  the 
Duncombe  Auto  Company,  which  maintains  garages  both  in 
Duncombe  and  Fort  Dodge,  Peter  Mallinger  and  James  Toohey 
being  the  other  members  of  the  firm. 

In  June,  1899,  Mr.  F'lynn  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Agnes 
Latta,  a  daughter  of  Johnson  and  Elizabeth  (O'Neil)  Latta.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  IHynn  have  been  born  the  following  children: 
Dorothy,  who  has  entered  her  thirteenth  year;  Pauline,  who  is 
ten  years  of  age;  Carl,  who  has  passed  his  eighth  Inrthday;  May, 
who  has  celebrated  the  fifth  anniversary  of  her  birth;  and  John 
and  Ivathleen,  twins,  who  are  two  years  of  age. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Flynn  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  and  fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Co- 
lumbusf  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  I-llks  and  the  Yeo- 
men. Despite  the  exactions  of  his  extensive  private  interests, 
Mr.  Flynn  finds  time  to  fulfill  his  civic  duties,  giving  his  political 
support  to  the  democratic  parly,  and  is  now  representing  his 
ward  in  the  town  council.  His  business  career  has  progressed 
in  the  orderly  manner  characteristic  of  the  man  of  definite  pur- 
pose,  his   carefully   considered    ])lans    and    capably    concentrated 


106  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

powers  having  been  directed  toward  a  single  achievement  at  a 
time.  Both  as  a  business  man  and  citizen  he  has  manifested  those 
quahties  which  highly  merit  the  respect  and  esteem  he  is  accorded 
by  his  fellow  citizens,  many  of  whom  are  stanch  friends  of  long 
years'  standing. 


CHARLES  ARENT. 


Charles  Arent  was  numbered  among  the  farmers  of  Webster 
county  whose  progressive  and  intelligent  labors  are  forces  in  local 
agricultural  development.  He  cultivated  a  line  farm  of  three  hun- 
dred acres  in  Badger  township  and  by  energy,  industry  and  efficiency 
made  it  a  model  enterprise  of  its  kind.  He  is  now  living  retired  in 
Badger,  where  he  has  just  completed  a  beautiful  modern  home.  Mr. 
Arent  was  born  in  Norway,  September  20,  1853,  and  is  a  son  of 
Frederick  and  Able  (Arent)  Arent,  natives  of  that  country.  The 
father  farmed  in  Norway  all  his  life  and  his  death  occurred  there  in 
March,  i860.  Two  years  later  his  wife  with  her  three  sons  and 
two  daughters  came  to  America,  settling  in  La  Salle  county,  Illinois. 
She  died  on  March  24,  iiS84,  in  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois,  whither 
she  had  come  with  her  family  in  1868. 

Charles  Arent  completed  an  education  begun  in  the  schools  of 
Norway  in  Illinois.  He  came  to  America  with  his  mother  when 
he  was  eight  years  of  age  and  remained  in  La  Salle  county  until 
1868.  He  had  farmed  independently  for  four  years  in  Illinois 
and  on  coming  to  Iowa,  in  1880,  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  in  Badger  township,  which  he  developed  and  improved  for 
a  short  time,  selling  it  later  in  order  to  purchase  eighty  acres  in 
the  same  section,  which  he  improved  along  progressive  lines. 
He  constantly  added  to  his  property  until  at  the  time  of  his 
retirement  he  was  the  owner  of  three  hundred  acres,  constituting 
a  valuable  and  well  equipped  farm.  This  he  was  successful  in 
operating  until  the  spring  of  1912,  when  he  moved  to  Badger, 
where  he  is  now  living  in  his  new  residence.  He  is  well  known 
in  the  village  and  has  many  friends  who  honor  him  for  his  upright 
character  and  straightforward  manners. 

On  September  17,  1892,  Mr.  Arent  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Maggie  Danielson,  a  daughter  of  Ole  and  Mary  (Nelson)  Danielson, 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COL'NTV  107 

natives  of  Norway.  Thev  came  to  the  United  States  in  1866,  settling 
in  La  Salle  connty,  Illinois,  whence  they  later  moved  to  Livingston 
county,  that  state.  After  a  period  of  residence  in  that  section  they 
came  to  \^'ebster  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  ])urchased  a  tract 
of  land  which  he  has  imjiroved  and.  operated  since  that  time. 

Mr.  Arent  is  acti\ely  interested  in  the  growth  and  development 
of  the  village  in  which  he  li\-es  and  is  a  stockholder  in  various  local 
enterprises,  among  them  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  and  the 
Badger  Telephone  Company.  Politically  he  affiliates  with  the  Roose- 
velt progressive  party,  being  a  stanch  admirer  of  Mr.  Roosevelt  and 
a  believer  in  the  principles  for  which  he  stands.  He  belongs  to  the 
Lutheran  church.  He  has  earned  by  diligent  and  useful  labor  the 
rest  which  he  is  now  enjoying,  ha\ing  made  his  active  life  valuable 
in  an  individual  and  in  a  public  way  by  keeping  his  business  methods 
U])right  and  honorable  and  by  adhering  to  high  standards  of  citizen.ship. 


WILLIAM  E.  HAVILAXD. 

William  E.  Haviland,  who  is  now  living  retired,  has  extensive 
property  and  financial  interests  in  Webster  county.  He  was  born  in 
Illinois,  June  16,  1846,  a  son  of  John  P.  and  Cynthia  (Pepper) 
Haviland,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Dutchess  county.  New 
York.  The  father  removed  to  Illinois  at  an  early  date  and  settled  in 
Dupage  county,  thirty-five  miles  from  Chicago.  He  purchased  an 
eighty  acre  tract  of  land,  which  he  cultivated  until  \H(iz,.  During 
that  time  he  made  many  improvements  and  brought  it  to  a  in'gh 
state  of  productivity,  later  disposing  of  it  at  a  good  price.  He  came 
to  Webster  county,  Iowa,  in  1865,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and 
seventy-fi\'c  acres  which  he  immediately  began  tn  im])ri)vc.  His 
death  occurred  on  the  28th  of  February,  1880,  and  the  mother  i)assed 
away  on  the  2d  of  July,  1889. 

William  E.  Haviland  was  a  pupil  in  the  common  schools  of 
Illinois  until  he  laid  aside  his  text  books  to  a.ssist  his  father  in  his 
agricultural  pursuits  (jn  the  hume  farm.  He  came  to  Iowa  with  his 
])arents  when  he  was  about  twenty  years  of  age  and  remained  with 
them  until  their  deaths.  William  E.  being  an  only  child,  the  father, 
shortly  before  his  death,  deeded  to  him  the  home  farm. 

Mr.  Haviland  has  been  twice  married.  On  tiie  14th  of  July,  1868, 
he  was  wedded  to  Miss  Catherine  E.  McMellan.  a  daughter  of  Dr. 


108  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

McMellan  of  Elmira,  New  York.  Dr.  McMellan  was  practicing  medi- 
cine in  Elmira  until  his  death,  while  his  wife's  death  had  occurred 
many  years  previous.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haviland  one  cliild  was 
born,  Nora  E.,  who  is  an  osteopathic  physician  in  Grand  Junction, 
Colorado,  and  the  wife  of  R.  D.  Moore,  also  an  osteopath.  Mrs. 
Haviland's  death  occurred  February  i6.  1889.  On  the  25th  of 
December.  i8gi,  ^Ir.  Haviland  was  again  married,  this  union  being 
with  Amelia  A.  Haviland.  a  daughter  of  J-  B.  and  Saba  (LaDue) 
Haviland.  natives  of  New  York  state.  The  father  came  to  Webster 
county  in  the  early  '503,  and  entered  government  land  which  he  im- 
prox'ed  and  operated  until  his  death,  in  1899.  The  mother  passed  away 
in  1894. 

Mr.  Haviland  gives  his  pohcical  support  t<i  the  republican  party, 
to  which  he  has  always  been  loyal.  He  has  served  the  town  efficiently 
as  township  clerk,  township  trustee  and  assessor,  and  is  at  present 
treasurer  of  the  Cooper  township  school  board.  He  lakes  an  active 
interest  in  religious  affairs  and  is  an  ardent  worker  in  church  work. 
He  holds  membership  in   the  Independent  Order  of   Odd   Fellows. 

Although  he  is  living  practically  retired  at  present,  he  still  takes  a 
deep  interest  in  his  farms.  He  also  owns  a  farm  near  Huron,  South 
Dakota,  and  one  in  Wisconsin.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Corn  Belt 
Meat  Producers  Association,  a  packing  company  of  Fort  Dodge, 
and  also  a  director  in  the  I'armers  Mutual  Insurance  Association  and 
vice  president  of  the  Commercial  National  Bank  of  Fort  Dodge. 
Because  of  the  \ariety  of  his  interests  he  is  well  known  throughout 
the  county,  and  his  straightforwardness  and  enterprising  s])irit  have 
won  him  the  respect  of  the  entire  comnnmity. 


JOHN  I.  RUTLEDGE. 


Iowa's  greatness  and  prosperity  is  in  a  large  measure  due  to  its 
agricultural  resources  and  development.  The  men  who  have  given 
their  energy  and  strength  to  improving  the  soil  are  responsible  for 
present  prosperous  conditions.  Many  of  the  state's  most  fertile  tracts 
are  located  in  Webster  county  and  have  been  brduglu  to  a  high  state 
of  productivity  through  the  activities  of  men  who  have  spent  their 
entire  careers  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Among  these  is  John  I.  Rut- 
ledge,  who  owns  four  hundred  and  ninety-six  acres  of  valuable  land 
in  Cooper  township.    His  birth  occurred  in  Canada,  .\ugust  11,  1853, 


HISTORY  OF  WEIJSTER  COLW TV  109 

his  parents  being  Crozier  and  Isabelle  ( Rayburn)  Rutledge.  The 
father  is  of  Scotcli-Irish  descent  and  the  mother  of  Canadian  birth. 
Crozier  Rutledge  came  to  this  country  with  his  parents  and  located 
in  Canada,  where  lie  acquired  Iiis  education.  As  soon  as  he  l)ecame 
old  enough  to  start  upon  an  independent  career  he  engaged  in  the 
mercantile  bu.siness  at  Charleston,  Canada,  and  continued  there  until 
he  readied  the  age  of  forty-three  years,  in  wiiich  year  he  was  acci- 
dentally killed  wiiile  riding  to  Toronto,  forty  miles  distant,  to  purchase 
goods.     The  mother  passed  away  fifty  years  later. 

John  I.  Rutledge  was  reared  and  educated  in  Canada.  He  remained 
at  home  with  his  mother  until  1873,  when  he  was  twenty  years  of  age. 
At  that  time  he  came  to  Illinois  and  took  charge  of  a  farm  for  three 
years  before  lie  returned  to  Canada  fur  a  year's  \isit.  In  the  autumn 
of  1877  he  came  to  Iowa  and  located  at  Fort  Dtxlge.  where  he 
remained  until  he  removed  to  Humboldt  county  and  purchased  one 
ciuarter  section  of  land.  For  two  years  he  was  engaged  in  ini])roving 
and  cultivating  this  proj^erty.  Init  at  the  end  of  that  time  rented  it 
and  went  to  O'lirien  county,  where  for  three  years  he  had  charge  of 
a  five  thousand  acre  farm  for  F'allin  Brothers.  He  then  returned  to 
Fort  Dodge,  where  he  was  married,  and  moved  to  his  farm  in  Hum- 
boldt county.  .\  year  later.  liowe\'er,  he  sold  that  farm  and  came 
to  Fort  Dodge  and  rented  his  father-in-law's  farm.  Vuv  twenty-two 
vears  be  was  engaged  in  cultixating  this  propertv  and  during  that 
time  brought  it  under  high  cultivation  and  proved  himself  an  agri- 
culturist of  unusual  worth.  His  determination  to  succeed,  his  unre- 
mitting energy  and  persistency  were  the  salient  cliaracteristics  in 
bringing  about  his  remarkaljle  success.  In  1907  he  ])urcliased  four 
hundred  and  ninety-si.x  acres  of  land  in  Cooper  township,  and  is  still 
engaged  in  operating  this  farm.  He  has  improved  the  property  to 
such  an  extent  that  at  present  he  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the 
county,  provided  with  all  modern  equipments.  In  addition  to  general 
farming  he  has  engaged  in  dairying  and  stock-raising,  specializing  in 
the  lietter  grades  of  stock.  He  has  at  jjresent  eighty  head  of  cattle 
and  raises  from  one  hundred  to  two  humlrcd  bead  of  hogs  jier  year. 
He  keeps  about  thirty  horses. 

In  \])ril.  1884,  Mr.  Rutledge  was  married  to  Miss  Carrie  C.  Coffin, 
a  daughter  of  Lorenzo  S.  and  Mary  (Cha.se)  Coffin.  The  father 
was  a  native  of  Xew  Hampshire  and  the  mother  of  New  York  state. 
The  father  came  to  Iowa  in  1855  and  took  up  a  claim.  F'rom  time  to 
time  he  increased  his  holdings  and  he  now  owns  se\en  liundre<!  and 
twenty  acres.     He  is  at  present  eighty-nine  years  of  age.     The  mother 


110  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

died  in  January,  1906.  To  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Rutledge  seven  children 
have  been  born:  Inina:  C,  who  is  engaged  in  the  dairying  business; 
Isabelle  M.,  who  is  teaching  in  the  high  school  at  Humboldt,  Iowa; 
Rayburn  S.,  who  is  attending  Ames  College;  Catherine  S.,  who  is  a 
student  in  the  College  at  Grinnell ;  Helen  Chase,  attending  high  school 
at  Fort  Dodge;  and  Ruth  L.,  and  Cora  Elizabeth,  both  in  school  in 
Fort  Dodge. 

In  politics  Mr.  Rutledge  affiliates  with  the  republican  party.  In 
religious  faith  he  and  the  members  of  his  family  are  Congrega- 
tionalists.  The  material  welfare  of  the  community  has  always  been 
of  prime  importance  to  him.  He  is  one  of  the  present  trustees  of 
Cooper  township,  and  for  ten  years  was  trustee  of  Douglas  township. 
The  position  he  now  holds  as  one  of  Webster  county's  most  prominent 
agriculturists,  has  been  won  by  industry,  perseverance  and  patience, 
and  comes  as  a  just  reward  for  the  hardships  he  endured  in  earlier  life. 


JAMES  BASS. 


Among  the  residents  of  Dayton  who  came  to  Webster  county 
when  it  was  a  frontier  district  and  substantially  contributed 
toward  the  upbuilding  and  development  of  the  community  is 
James  Bass,  who  owns  over  eight  lumclred  acres  of  land  in  Veil 
and  Dayton  townships,  much  of  which  he  bought  directly  from 
the  government,  in  addition  to  some  valuable  Dayton  property. 
He  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  April  27.  1832,  and  is  a  son  of 
Edward  and  Mary  (Saffley)  Bass.  He  is  of  English  and  Irish 
extraction  and  represents  the  third  generation  of  his  family  in 
America,  his  paternal  grandfather  being  a  veteran  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  and  having  participated  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 
In  1835  Edward  Bass  removed  with  his  family  to  Indiana  and  en- 
gaged in  farming.  Twenty  years  later  he  came  to  Iowa,  purchas- 
ing two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Boone  county,  to  which 
he  subsequently  added  another  twenty  acres  of  timber  land. 
There  both  he  and  the  mother  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives, 
his  death  occurring  on  the  3d  of  February,  1883,  at  the  venerable 
age  of  ninety-four  years,  "his  natal  day  having  been  the  17th  of 
January,  1789.  The  mother  survived  him  for  three  years,  pass- 
ing away  July  15,  1886. 


■m^^  '^OaAJ 


<yPtr<)/a'ni-fvj    yj<fd<i 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  115 

James  Bass,  who  was  a  child  of  three  years  when  his  parents 
left  North  Carolina,  was  reared  to  manhood  in  Owen  county, 
Indiana.  In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  he  attended  the  sub- 
scription schools  of  that  state  until  he  was  fourteen  when  he  laid 
aside  his  text-books  and  began  assisting  his  father  with  the  work 
of  the  farm.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  attained  his  majority, 
then  started  out  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world.  In  the  fall 
of  1S52,  he  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Webster  county.  As  he  had 
never  learned  a  trade,  he  went  to  work  as  a  farm  hand,  being 
unfamiliar  with  any  other  occupation.  Although  he  received 
meager  wages,  he  was  thrifty  and  temperate  in  his  habits  and 
soon  accumulated  sufficient  capital  to  enable  him  to  buy  eighty 
acres  of  government  land,  for  which  he  paid  from  a  dollar  and  a 
quarter  to  a  dollar  and  a  half  per  acre.  It  was  located  seven  miles 
northeast  of  Dayton  in  Yell  township  and  has  ever  since  been  in 
possession  of  Mr.  Bass  and  is  known  as  the  old  homestead.  He 
energetically  applied  himself  to  putting  this  under  cultivation, 
meeting  with  such  lucrati\e  returns  from  his  farming  that  he  was 
able  from  time  to  time  to  increase  his  holdings  until  he  now  owns 
eight  hundred  acres  of  farming  land,  which  he  is  renting.  He  re- 
sided on  his  homestead  until  March,  i86g.  when  he  withdrew 
from  the  active  work  of  the  fields  and  removed  to  Dayton.  He 
has  ever  since  made  this  city  his  home  and  owns  a  very  pleasant 
residence  on  Main  street,  where  he  is  living. 

Mr.  Bass  was  married  in  1857  to  Miss  Cassie  Halloway,  who 
was  born  in  North  Carolina  on  the  24th  of  ^larch,  1S37,  and  died 
in  Dayton  on  the  3d  of  February,  1901.  Her  parents  were  also 
natives  of  North  Carolina,  and  there  the  mother  passed  away 
many  years  ago.  The  father  subsequently  came  to  Webster 
county  and  made  his  home  with  our  subject  until  just  before  the 
Civil  war  when  he  was  married  again.  He  died  in  February, 
1881,  and  is  buried  in  the  Beem  cemetery,  near  Lehigh,  this 
county.  Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bass.  Mary 
Jane,  the  widow  of  Taylor  Scott,  who  lives  at  Gowrie,  this  county, 
has  seven  children:  Hubert,  Nellie,  Grace,  Clifton,  Cassie,  Wilson 
and  Leo.  Rachel  A.  married  Charles  C.  Miller,  a  schoolteacher 
of  New  Mexico.  Addie,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Bragg,  a  farmer 
south  of  Gowrie.  has  five  children.  Sherman,  who  conducts  a 
pool  and  billiard  hall  in  Dayton,  married  Julia  Cascbolt  and  they 
have  three  children:  Orville.  Efifie  and  Fay.  Grant,  who  works 
in  a  cafe  at  Boone.  Towa.  married  Cora  Guthrie  and   they  have 

Vol.  II— 7 


116  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

three  children :  Halsey,  Sylvia  and  Maxine.  Miles,  a  rural  mail 
carrier,  married  Jennie  Nelson  and  they  also  have  three  children : 
Raymond,  Marie  and  Mildred.  Mina,  the  wife  of  Will  Nichols,  a 
traveling  salesman  of  New  Mexico,  has  two  children,  Velma  and 
an  infant.  Elsie,  who  married  Fred  C.  Esch,  a  clerk  of  Wyoming, 
has  one  child,  Dorothy  Adeline.  Ella  married  Dr.  L.  E.  Estick 
of  Rockwell  City,  Iowa,  and  they  have  one  child,  Lewis  Howard. 
On  the  1st  of  March,  1906,  Mr.  Bass  married  Mrs.  Anna  Butler,  a 
native  of  Canada  and  a  daughter  of  John  and  Caroline  Eliza  (Bry- 
ant) Gates.  The  father,  who  was  of  Dutch  extraction,  was  born 
in  Kingston,  Canada,  and  the  mother  in  Ogdensburg,  New  Y'ork. 
He  was  a  son  of  John  Gates,  who  homesteaded  one  hundred  acres 
of  land,  where  the  Kingston  Market  now  stands  in  Ontario, 
Canada.  When  the  War  of  1812  broke  out  he  went  to  the  front 
and  is  supposed  to  have  been  killed  at  the  Battle  of  the  Windmill, 
at  Prescott,  Ontario,  as  he  was  never  heard  from  afterward. 
His  son,  John  Gates,  the  father  of  Airs.  Bass,  was  one  of  the 
successful  agriculturists  of  Kingston,  Ontario,  and  acquired  one 
thousand  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Frontenac  county,  upon  which 
the  youngest  son,  George  Gates,  is  now  residing.  Mrs.  Bass  in- 
herited two  hundred  acres  of  land  from  her  father,  which  is  now 
rented  to  her  eldest  son,  George  Henry  Ayerst.  ]\lr.  Gates 
passed  away  in  Canada  in  1889,  and  the  mother,  who  was  of  Irish 
and  American  descent,  came  to  Iowa  and  made  her  home  with 
her  son  James  Gates  at  Boone,  until  her  death  in  1901.  Mrs.  Bass 
was  first  married  in  1861  to  Francis  Ayerst.  of  England.  He  died 
in  Canada  twenty-five  years  ago  and  she  later  became  the  wife  of 
Charles  Butler,  a  veteran  of  the  Ci\il  war  and  a  native  of  the 
state  of  New  York,  where  he  likewise  died.  In  1904,  she  located 
in  Boone,  Iowa,  and  there  she  was  married  two  years  later  to  Mr. 
Bass. 

Mr.  Bass,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  for  sixty  years,  has 
many  interesting  reminiscences  to  relate  of  the  pioneer  days. 
After  the  Indian  massacre  at  Spirit  Lake,  there  was  a  rumor  of  an 
uprising  among  the  natives  in  this  section  and  three  hundred  men, 
of  whom  Mr.  Bass  was  one,  under  command  of  Johnson  McFar- 
land  and  Joseph  Thrift  responded  to  the  call  to  defend  the  set- 
tlers. They  marched  from  Boonesboro  to  Webster  City  but  as 
their  services  were  not  required  they  disbanded  and  returned 
home.  In  1863,  he  again  volunteered  to  fight  the  Indians  under 
Captain  Williams  of   Fort   Dodge   and   went   to   Chain   Lake   to 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  117 

assist  in  constructing  barracks  for  the  protection  of  the  settlers. 
Six  months  later  they  marched  back  to  Fort  Dodge  and  dis- 
banded. On  the  J 8th  of  Xovember,  1864,  he  enlisted  at  Fort 
Dodge  in  Company  K,  Sixteenth  Iowa  \'olunteer  Infantry  under 
Captain  Slattman.  Their  regiment  was  ordered  to  report  at 
Nashville,  and  there  his  company  was  detached  and  placed  in  the 
One  Hundredth  and  Thirty-second  New  York  Infantry.  He  had 
his  first  experience  in  battle  at  Fort  Xegley,  and  from  there  they 
moved  on  Fort  Lookout,  and  tlien  ])artici]iated  in  the  battles  of 
Kingston  and  Goldsboro,  North  Carolina.  At  the  latter  point  his 
company  rejoined  their  old  regiment,  and  passing  under  General 
Sherman's  command  marched  to  Raleigh.  They  were  stationed 
there  for  two  weeks  before  Johnson  surrendered.  Following  this 
they  had  a  two  days  review  at  that  point,  going  from  there  to 
Washington,  D.  C,  to  participate  in  the  grand  review.  His  regi- 
ment was  then  ordered  to  report  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  where 
they  were  stationed  until  July  9,  1865,  when  they  were  discharged. 
Air.  Bass  votes  the  democratic  ticket  and  served  as  trustee  in 
Yell  township  for  several  terms  and  was  a  school  director  there 
for  many  years.  He  is  a  member  of  Captain  Dow-d  Post,  No.  329. 
G.  A.  R.,  of  Dayton  and  Airs.  Bass  belongs  to  the  Women's  Relief 
Corps  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Bass  who  has 
attained  the  venerable  age  of  eighty  years,  has  the  distinction  of 
never  having  made  a  deed  or  given  a  mortgage  and  still  owns 
every  piece  of  property  he  ever  purchased.  Mr.  Bass  still  enjoys 
the  best  of  health  and  is  well  and  vigorous  and  has  remarkal)Ie 
eyesight.  He  takes  great  satisfaction  in  his  achievements  as  he 
began  life  in  early  manhood  without  any  capital,  and  by  his  owmi 
industry,  perseverance  and  capable  management  acquired  a  com- 
petence that  has  long  enabled  him  to  live  in  retirement,  and  still 
enjoy  all  comforts  of  life. 


SILAS  M.   DEAN. 


The  career  of  Silas  .M.  Dean  is  the  record  of  an  intelligent  and 
useful  life  spent  in  business  fields  of  activity  and  always  actuated  by 
high  standards  of  personal  honor  and  business  integrity.  He  is  now 
engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  antl  his  pro- 
gressive methods  and  well  tested  integrity  have  won  him  a  gratifying 


118  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

degree  of  success.  He  was  born  in  Clay  county,  Iowa,  June  14, 
1875,  and  is  a  son  of  Walter  and  Jane  (Roberts)  Dean.  His  father 
was  born  in  North  Carolina  and  came  to  Clay  county  about  1868. 
He  was  for  many  years  one  of  the  progressive  and  representative 
agriculturists  of  that  region  and  he  operated  the  farm,  which  he 
bought  upon  his  arrival,  until  1897.  In  that  year  he  retired  from 
active  life  and  removed  to  Peterson,  Iowa,  where  he  now  resides. 
He  is  a  judicious  and  discriminating  man  and  has  added  to  these 
qualities  a  special  knowledge  of  farm  values,  which  has  resulted  in 
acquiring  a  competency.  His  investments  are  principally  in  Iowa 
land,  and  he  gives  his  entire  attention  to  the  management  of  his 
holdings.     Mr.  and  Airs.  \\'alter  Dean  reside  in  Peterson,  Iowa. 

The  country  schools  of  Clay  county  afforded  Silas  M.  Dean  his 
early  educational  privileges.  He  pursued  his  studies  until  he  was 
twelve  years  old  and  then  left  home,  removing  to  Jasper  county,  where 
he  engaged  in  various  activities,  such  as  were  obtainable  for  a  lad 
of  his  years  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age.  In  1890  he  came  to 
Fort  Dodge  and  worked  in  the  emplo\-  of  various  concerns  in  this 
city  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age.  He  constantly  realized 
the  fact  that  he  was  hampered  by  too  short  an  education  and  as  soon 
as  he  was  able,  entered  the  Capital  City  Commercial  College  at 
Des  Moines  and  by  wise  improvement  of  every  opportunity  soon  won 
an  efificient  knowledge  of  business.  When  he  was  twenty-three  j^ears 
of  age  Mr.  Dean  enlisted  in  Company  G,  of  the  Fifty-second  Iowa 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  for  three  months.  He  was  stationed 
at  Chickamauga  Park,  where  he  became  thoroughly  conversant  with 
the  details  of  military  order  and  the  various  army  tactics.  His 
regiment  returned  to  Des  Moines  and  spent  one  month  in  that  city 
before  they  were  mustered  out,  Octol)er  30,  1898-  Air.  Dean  remained 
in  Des  Moines  and  obtained  employment  under  a  Mr.  Thomas  in  the 
milk  business.  He  followed  this  line  of  acti\ity  for  si.x  years  and  by 
strict  economy  was  enabled  to  rent  Mr  Thomas'  farm  at  the  end  of 
that  period.  He  carried  on  the  enterprise  along  progressive  and 
sanitary  lines  for  five  years  and  was  successful  to  a  gratifying  extent 
In  1909  he  returned  to  Fort  Dodge  and  established  a  grocerv  and  milk 
business  independently  and  has  been  active  and  successful  in  its  opera- 
tion ever  since.  He  has  gradually  branched  out  into  other  fields  of 
activity  and  has  become  known  in  Fort  Dodge  as  a  representative 
business  man.  In  September.  191 1,  he  purchased  the  stock  of  the 
Fort  Dodge  Coke  &  Coal  Company  and  this  concern  owes  its  present 
flourishing  condition  to  his  efficient  management. 


HISTORY  OF  WEI'.STER  COUXTY  119 

On  July  6,  1903,  jNIr.  Dean  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Maude 
(Bennett)  DeLano,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mar/  (Hemdle) 
Bennett.  The  mother  was  born  in  Germany  but  came  to  America  at 
an  early  date.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Canada  and  in  1869  came 
to  Webster  county,  wliere  he  operated  a  farm  until  1891.  In  that 
year  he  retired  and  moved  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  resided  until  his 
death  in  1897.  His  wife  is  still  living  and  makes  her  home  with  her 
son-in-law,  the  subject  of  this  review,  and  is  now  seventy-nine  years 
of  age.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dean  has  been  born  one  child,  Walter 
Judson.  Mr.  Dean  also  has  two  step-children,  Charlotte  Marie  and 
Allen  Thomas.  Mrs.  Dean  passed  away  on  December  23,  1910,  after 
a  three  years"  ilness  and  her  death  deprived  Fort  Dodge  of  a  charming 
and  hospitable  woman  and  her  family  of  a  devoted  wife  and  mother. 

Mr.  Dean  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.  He 
is  prominent  in  the  .\ncient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and  in  the 
Veterans  of  the  Spanish  \\'ar.  He  is  a  devout  adherent  of  the  Baptist 
church  and  with  this  faith  his  children  also  atfiliate.  He  is  highly 
esteemed  by  his  fellow  citizens  and  enjoys  the  resi>ect  of  his  many 
friends  and  acquaintances  by  reason  of  a  well  deserved  business  success 
and  his  clean,  honorable,  pri\-ate  life. 


EDWTX  V.  BROWN. 


The  death  <<i  Edwin  \'.  Hmwn  on  June  17.  1906,  deprived  many 
residents  of  l-'ort  Dodge  of  a  genial,  kindly  and  loyal  friend  and  the 
business  circles  of  the  city  of  a  conspicuously  able  representative. 
Mr.  Brown  was  for  many  years  prominently  identified  with  the 
retail  tobacco  trade,  carrying  on  his  business  on  the  site  where  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Fort  Dodge  is  now  located.  He  was  born  in 
Oswego,  New  ^'o^k.  July  17,  .1838,  and  was  a  son  of  Cliester  and 
Mar>'  (Cook)  Brown,  both  natives  of  New  York,  of  German  lineage. 
The  father  lived  and  died  in  his  native  state  and  was  one  of  its  suc- 
cessful farmers.  He  died  Se])tember  17,  1899,  having  survived  his 
wife  by  nine  years,  her  death  occurring.  .November  10,  1890. 

Edwin  V.  Brown  spent  his  early  youth  in  New  York  state  and  was 
educated  in  its  public  .schools.  He  early  heard  the  call  of  the  sea  and 
when  he  laid  aside  his  books  shipped  on  a  whaling  vessel,  plying  the 
waters  around  the  northern  part  of  .America  and  off  the  eastern 
coast  for  two  yearsy  during  which  period  he  never  caught  sight  of 


120  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

land.     He  followed  the  sea  for  six  years,  but  eventually  abandoned 
this  occupation  to  make  his  home  in  Minnesota.     He  intended  to 
purchase  land  in  that  state  and  follow  agricultural  pursuits  but  was 
unsuccessful  in  finding  a  fami  just  as  he  wanted  it  and  returned  to 
New  York.     In  the  early  "eos  he  went  to  Calhoun  county,  Iowa,  and 
bought  land  which  he  proved  and  operated  for  two  years.     He  there 
gained  a  thorough  knowledge  of  modem  agriculture  and  was  success- 
ful as  a  farmer.     He  abandoned  farm  life,  however,  after  two  years 
of  activity  in  this  line  and  came  to  Fort  Dodge  to  accept  a  position 
as  traveling  salesman  for  the  Inilton  Implement  Company.     Success 
attended  his  commercial  efforts  and  for  four  years  he  was  a  valued 
and  energetic  representative  for  his  employers.    When  he  severed  his 
connection  with  the  Fulton  Implement  Company  he  went  to  Minne- 
apolis to  enter  the  employ  of   Hooker  &  Manley.   wholesale   cigar 
dealers  in  that  city.     It  was  here  that  he  first  found  an  occupation 
entirely  suited  to  his  talents  and  tastes  and  his  activities  in  the  whole- 
sale branch  of  the  cigar  inisiness  gave  a  definite  vent  to  his  ambitions. 
He  applied  himself  to  learning  the  details  connected  with  the  selling 
and  buying  end  of  the  business  and  became  familiar  with  the  different 
grades  of  the  product  and  was  soon  recognized  as  an  expert  in  his 
chosen  field  of  activity.     He  remained  with  Hooker  &  Manley  until 
1885  and  then  returned  to  Fort  Dodge  to  enter  into  business   for 
himself.     He  established  his  store,  which  contained  wholesale  and 
retail  departments,  upon  the  site  where  the  First  National  Bank  is 
now  located  and  here  for  many  years  he  conducted  one  of  the  most 
flourishing  and  prosperous  enterprises  in  this  line  in  the  city.     His 
ambition  and  energy  coupled  with  thorough  and  definite  knowledge 
made  his  rise  in  the  business  world  rapid  and  his  hoiioral)le  methods 
and  strict  integrity  soon  gained  him  many  patrons.     Eventually  he 
was  enabled  to  retire.     He  conducted  his  enterprise  until   1902  and 
in  that  year  closed  his  store  and  started  upon  an  extended  tour  of 
the  southern  states.    The  poor  condition  of  his  health  was  an  influen- 
tial factor  in  his  determination  to  retire  from  business.     He  was  a 
sufferer  from  asthma  and  his  southern  journey  although  it  benefited 
him  generallv  had  no  lasting  effect  upon  his  health.     He  returned  to 
Fort  Dodge  and  made  this  city  his  home  until  his  death  on  Jnne  17, 
1906,  in  his  sixty-eighth  year.    His  passing  was  widely  and  genuinely 
regretted  by  his  many  friends  in  the  city  and  it  deprived  the  business 
interests  of  Fort  Dodge  of  a  shrewd  and  discriminating  man.     He 
was  well  known  throughout  the  city  as  an  exemplary  and  thoroughly 
honest  citizen  and  the  place  which  he  left  in  social  and  commercial 
circles  will  be  difficult  to  fill. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  121 

On  Xovember  26,  1871,  Mr.  Brown  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Barr,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Mary  (Stewart)  Barr,  both 
natives  of  Ohio.  The  father  left  the  latter  state  at  an  earlj'  date  and 
made  his  home  in  Minnesota,  where  he  engaged  in  blacksmithing 
until  tile  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  In  1S61  he  enlisted  in  Company 
A,  Third  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  during  the  entire 
four  years  with  honor  and  distinction.  He  was  wounded  in  the  right 
arm  and  never  afterward  regained  the  full  use  of  that  member. 
After  the  surrender  of  the  Confederacy  he  returned  to  Minnesota  and 
thereafter  followed  the  occupation  of  a  veterinary  surgeon  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  March,  1907,  when  he  had  attained  the  age 
of  ninety-one  years.  His  wife's  death  had  long  since  preceeded  his 
and  occurred  in  April.  1877.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brown  were  born 
two  children:  lulwin  \'..  Jr.  now  in  the  thirty-ninth  year  of  his  age, 
who  is  employed  by  the  Bythe  Brick  &  Tile  Company  of  Fort  Dodge; 
and  J.  S..  whose  birth  occurred  on  July  17,  1875.  ^^''S-  Brown  and 
her  two  sons  reside  at  Xo.  806  First  Avenue  in  a  comfortable  and 
commodious  home  which  Mr.  Brown  purchased  before  his  death. 

Politically  Air.  Brown  was  a  stanch  republican  and  actively  inter- 
ested in  the  affairs  of  his  community  although  he  never  held  nor 
sought  public  office.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and 
to  this  faith  his  wife  gives  her  allegiance.  He  was  prominent  in  the 
Masonic  order,  having  been  initiated  in  Ashlar  Lodge  on  July  16, 
1869.  He  attained  a  prominent  position  in  the  deliberations  of  that 
body  during  his  life  and  was  active  in  the  affairs  of  the  organization 
for  many  years.  His  life  had  a  distinct  influence  upon  the  com- 
inercial  progress  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  had  that  talent  for  organization 
and  management  which  is  a  necessary  factor  in  development  and 
upbuilding.  He  set  for  himself  a  high  standard  of  business  honor 
and  he  never  deviated  from  his  code.  He  made  his  life  upright, 
worthv  and  genuinely  useful  and  his  death  marked  the  passing  of  a 
valued  and  respected  citizen  and  a  thoroughly  honest  man. 


lOIi.X  W.   Ki.Ml'. 


Dr.  John  W.  Kime.  who  in  his  practice  is  specializing  in  ihc  treat- 
ment of  tuberculosis,  occupies  a  prominent  place  among  those  who 
liave  in  recent  years  given  their  attention  to  this  I)ranch  of  practice, 
doing  a  uurk  which  is  of  untoldbenefit.    Dr.  Kime  was  I)c>rn  in  Siiclby 


122  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

county.  Iowa,  October,  1855,  a  son  of  Abraham  and  ^lary  (  Baugh- 
man)  Kime,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Indiana.  The  father 
removed  to  Shelby  county  in  1852  and  immediately  entered  land. 
Until  the  war  broke  out  he  was  engaged  in  culti\-ating  and  improving 
this  property.  He  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Twenty-ninth  Iowa  Volun- 
teer Infantry  and  served  until  the  spring  of  1863,  when  his  death 
occurred  as  a  result  of  black  measles.  After  her  husband's  death 
the  mother  continued  in  the  operation  of  the  farm  throughout  the 
remainder  of  her  life.     She  passed  away  in  1890. 

Dr.  Kime  was  reared  at  home  and  his  early  education  was  acipiired 
in  the  puljlic  schools  of  Shelby  county.  His  training  was  supple- 
mented by  a  course  of  study  at  the  State  University  at  Iowa  City, 
which  institution  he  entered  when  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He 
took  a  general  college  course  and  subsequently  took  up  the  study  of 
medicine,  graduating  with  the  class  of  1883.  He  afterward  opened 
an  office  in  Angus,  Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  one  year  before 
coming  to  Fort  Dodge  in  1884.  He  at  once  engaged  in  the  general 
practice  of  medicine  and  is  at  present  one  of  the  most  prominent 
physicians  of  this  city.  Realizing  that  tMs  is  an  age  of  specialization 
and  that  the  greatest  good  can  be  done  by  perfecting  one's  self  in  a 
particular  line,  he  has  made  a  special  study  of  tuberculosis  and  at 
present  is  conducting  a  hospital  on  the  north  side  of  the  city  for  the 
treatment  of  those  afflicted  with  that  disease.  Close  study  and  per- 
sonal investigation  have  gained  him  broad  knowledge  and  made  him 
most  efficient  in  his  chosen  field  of  lalx)r.  He  has  served  as  state 
lecturer  on  tuberculosis  for  the  last  three  years.  He  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Association,  the  National  Tuberculosis 
Association  and  the  Webster  County  Metlical  Association.  He 
utilizes  every  means  at  hand  to  adx-ance  and  promote  his  efficiency. 
His  labors  have  been  of  a  valuai)le  character,  and  in  all  his  professional 
practice  he  works  toward  high  ideals. 

In  August,  1884,  Dr.  Kime  was  married  to  Miss  Sara  Paugburn. 
a  daughter  of  \\'illiam  and  Sabina  Paugburn,  natives  of  New  York 
state.  Mrs.  Kime  ably  assists  the  Doctor  in  his  professional  work,  as 
she  herself  has  studied  medicine  and  is  a  graduate  physician.  At 
an  early  date  the  father  removed  to  Fayette  county,  Iowa,  and  was 
one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  that  district.  He  entered  land  which 
he  culti\ated  until  1909,  when  he  gave  up  agricultural  pursuits  and 
removed  to  Fort  Dodge.  His  deati:  occurred  in  this  city  in  191 1. 
The  mother  passed  away  in  19 10.  To  Dr.  and  ^Irs.  Kime  two 
children  ha\e  been  born :    ]\Iarion,  who  is  sixteen  years  of  age ;  and 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  123 

Isabelle.  aged  nine.  The  family  is  affiliated  with  the  Presbyterian 
church  and  Dr.  Kime  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican 
party.  He  has  served  on  the  city  council  for  two  j'ears.  He  takes 
an  active  interest  in  everything  that  pertains  to  the  welfare,  growth 
and  progress  of  the  city. 


NICHOLAS  J.  WAGNER. 

For  more  than  sixteen  years  Nicholas  J.  Wagner  has  been  success- 
fully identifietl  with  the  mercantile  interests  of  Duncomljc.  being 
numbered  among  the  substantial  l>usiiiess  men  of  the  town.  He  was 
born  on  the  loth  of  May,  187 1.  in  Hamilton  county,  this  state,  and  is 
a  son  of  John  and  Angelica  (  Chrisman )  Wagner,  natives  of  Germany. 
The  father  when  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years  emigrated  to 
the  United  States  with  his  parents,  who  located  at  Aurora,  Illinois. 
There  he  found  employment  in  the  shops  nf  the  Chicago,  Burlington 
&  Ouincy  Railroad,  continuing  in  their  service  until  1868.  In  the 
latter  year  he  resigned  his  position  and  came  to  Iowa,  and  purchasing 
a  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Hamilton  county  turned  his 
attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  possessed  the  diligence  and 
thrift  characteristic  of  his  nationality,  and  in  the  development  of  his 
interests  met  with  such  gratifying  returns  that  he  was  able  to  add 
to  his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  at  one  time  they  aggregated 
four  hundred  and  forty  acres.  Ha\-ing  accumulated  a  competence 
that  warranted  his  retirement,  he  left  his  farm  in  iSi/i  and  remm-ed 
to  Duncombe,  where  he  passed  away  in  January,  1906,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-eight  years.  The  mother,  who  has  passed  the  se\'cnty-fiinrlh 
anniversary  of  her  birth  still  resides  in  Duncombe. 

There  was  no  particular  occurrence  in  the  life  of  Nicholas  J. 
\\'agner  to  distinguish  his  boyhood  .-nid  _\<iutli  from  that  of  other 
farmer  lads  of  that  period.  His  time  was  largely  diviiled  between  the 
work  of  the  school-room  and  that  of  the  fields.  His  education  was 
obtained  in  the  public  schools  of  Eagle  Grove  and  Webster  City, 
following  which  he  gave  his  undixideil  attention  to  the  work  of  the 
home  farm.  Preferring  a  commercial  to  an  agricultural  career,  he 
left  the  parental  roof  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  and  came  to 
Duncombe.  Here  lie  subseciuently  formed  a  partnership  with  J.  J. 
Clausen,  with  whom  he  was  associated  off  and  on  for  ten  years. 
Later  he  bought  the  interest  of  Mr.  Clausen  in  the  enterprise  and  has 


124  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

ever  since  conducted  the  business  with  the  exception  of  three  years, 
when  lie  resumed  farming.  He  has  prospered  in  his  undertakings 
and  owns  stock  in  the  Duncombe  Savings  Bank  and  one  of  the 
vahiable  residence  properties  of  the  town.  He  also  holds  the  title  to 
a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  Hamilton  county  and  one 
of  eighty  acres  located  on  section  3.  Washington  township,  this  county. 

On  April  2-;„  1898.  Mr.  Wagner  married  ^Miss  Katie  Bailey,  a 
daughter  of  Francis  and  Ellen  (Casey)  Bailey,  natives  of  Ireland. 
Six  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wagner,  in  the  following 
order :  Anna,  who  has  passed  the  thirteenth  anniversary  of  her  birth ; 
John  Francis,  who  is  eleven  years  of  age;  Kathleen,  who  is  anticipat-_ 
ing  her  tenth  birthday;  Harold,  who  is  six  years  of  age;  Bernice, 
whose  death  occurred  in  1909  at  the  age  of  eighteen  months;  and  one 
who  died  in  infancy. 

The  parents  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  in 
the  faith  of  which  denomination  they  are  rearing  their  family.  Fra- 
ternally IMr.  Wagner  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  and 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  He  votes  the  democratic  ticket 
and  is  now  and  has  been  for  some  years  a  member  of  the  board  of 
trustees  of  \\'ashington  township.  He  has  also  served  on  tlie  town 
council  and  is  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Duncombe.  He  is 
a  man  of  positive  purpose  and  definite  ideas,  who  stands  for  progress 
in  either  public  or  private  life,  supporting  by  his  energy  and  enthusiasm 
every  movement  he  feels  will  advance  the  welfare  of  the  community 
or  promote  its  development. 


PERRY  GRUX'ER. 


Tlie  life  record  of  I'erry  Gruver  is  a  record  of  a  struggle  against 
constantly  increasing  obstacles,  through  difficulties  and  hardships,  to 
final  success.  He  was  aided  in  his  Ijattle  by  energy  and  industry, 
a  firm  purpose  and  a  determination  to  conquer.  He  has  now  achieved 
his  ambition  and  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  and  respected  farmers 
in  Webster  county,  Iowa.  He  was  bom  near  Ozark,  Illinois,  March 
15,  1839,  and  is  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Anna  (Bluhbaker)  Gruver. 
His  father  was  born  near  Philadelphia  in  1800  and  received  his  early 
education  in  that  state.  He  later  removed  to  Kendall  county.  Illinois, 
and  remained  there  until  1845  when  he  went  to  Clinton  county. 
Iowa,  where  he  died  in   1866.     He  was  a  miner  and  worked  at  his 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUXTY  125 

occupation  in  Iowa  and  Illinois  for  some  time  and  later  followed  the 
occupation  of  lumliering;.  He  was  a  stanch  democrat  and  a  member 
of  the  Christian  church.  His  wife  also  was  born  in  Fhiladcl])hia  and 
was  married  there.  She  came  with  her  husband  first  to  Illinois  and 
then  to  Iowa  and  died  in  Clinton  in  1862.  She  was  also  a  devout 
adherent  of  the  Christian  church.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  fol- 
lowing children :  Rosetta  and  Lydia,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ; 
Isaac,  deceased,  who  served  three  years  in  Company  I,  Twenty-sixth 
Iowa  Regiment  during  the  Ci\il  war,  taking  part  in  twenty-five  en- 
gagements without  being  wounded  once;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Joseph 
Upergraft  of  Monmouth,  Jackson  county,  Iowa;  Marion,  who  served 
for  one  year  in  the  Sixth  Regiment,  Iowa  Yolunteer  Infantr}',  and  is 
now  living  in  Des  Moines;  Julia,  the  wife  of  Frank  Burdick  of  Fort 
Dodge,  Iowa;  ]M.  Gruver;  and  Haley,  the  wife  of  James  Wood,  de- 
ceased. 

Perry  Gruver  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Clinton,  Iowa,  and  remained  at  home  with  his  parents  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  When  he  had  attained  his  niajurity  he 
rentetl  a  tract  of  land  in  Clinton  count}-  and  farmed  u]K)n  it  for  three 
years.  .\t  the  end  of  that  time  he  removed  to  Greene  county,  Iowa, 
where  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  farm  land  just  south  of  the  town 
of  Lohrxille.  For  two  years  he  cultivated  his  holdings  in  this  section 
and  made  many  impro\'ements.  Subsequently,  in  1870  he  purchased 
land  in  Clinton  county  and  lived  upon  his  farm  there  for  two  years. 
He  then  returned  to  Greene  county  and  farmed  near  Cedar  Creek  for 
two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  aliandoned  farming  and 
went  to  Lehigh,  Iowa,  as  an  employe  in  the  lilack  Diamond  coal 
mines.  He  spent  one  winter  in  this  occupation  and  then  remo\ed  to 
Gowrie,  where  he  worked  on  a  section  of  the  railroad  during  the 
summer.  Leaving  his  family  established  in  Gowrie  Mr.  Ciruver 
determined  to  try  his  fortunes  as  a  trapper.  He  located  his  head- 
quarters at  Sibley,  Osceola  count}-,  Iowa,  and  trajjped  in  thai  section 
of  the  country  for  a  few  months.  He  had  a  short  time  pre\  ious  to 
this  by  strict  economy  and  hard  saving,  amassed  a  sniall  amount  of 
money  with  which  he  had  purchased  land  in  Webster  county.  He 
then  removed  to  his  holdings  in  that  section  and  in  a.ssociation  with 
his  brother-in-law-,  Gus  A.  Gurney,  built  a  small  house  upon  this  land, 
which  is  still  owned  by  our  subject  and  occupied  by  his  son.  Isaac. 
His  land  in  Webster  county  is  located  on  section  35,  Roland  township. 
Here  ^Ir.  Gruver  and  Mr.  Gurney  lived  for  two  years  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  making  many  \aluable  improvements.    The  farm 


126  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

was  profitable  and  Mr.  Gruver  was  soon  able  to  purchase  eighty 
acres  directly  north  of  his  first  tract  of  land.  He  lived  in  the  small 
house  which  he  built  upon  the  new  land  about  three  years  and  then 
sold  his  entire  holdings.  Forty  acres  were  purchased  by  outsiders 
and  the  other  forty  became  the  property  of  ^Ir.  Gurney.  Perry 
Gru\er  then  mo\'ed  back  to  the  little  house,  which  he  had  built  when 
he  came  to  Webster  county  and  remained  there  for  one  year.  His 
success  at  this  time  was  not  remarkable  and  he  soon  gave  up  the 
land  w'hich  he  was  operating  and  the  year  following  removed 
to  Emmetsburg,  Palo  Alto  county,  Iowa.  Here  he  remained  for 
six  years  following  agricultural  pursuits  and  meeting  with  a  little 
more  success  than  had  attended  his  early  efforts.  When  he  was 
financially  able  he  came  back  to  Roland  township  and  purchased 
eighty  acres  on  section  29,  which  he  improved  and  operated  for 
ten  years,  gradually  bringing  it  to  a  high  state  of  productivity. 
Eventually  he  traded  this  to  Mr.  Gurney  and  received  in  ex- 
change his  present  farm  located  on  section  35.  At  the  time  this 
transaction  was  completed  there  was  on  the  land  which  ]\Ir. 
Gruver  received  a  small  house.  This  he  entirely  remodeled, 
installed  modern  and  sanitary  equipment  and  he  now  makes  it 
his  home.  During  the  past  few  years  Mr.  Gruver  has  added  ma- 
terially to  his  holdings  and  his  success  has  been  rapid.  He 
bought  out  the  holdings  of  the  heirs  of  his  former  partner,  Gus 
A.  Gurney,  and  is  now  the  proprietor  of  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
four  acres  of  the  most  fertile  land  in  Roland  township.  He  is 
constantly  improving  his  farm  and  has  erected  new  buildings  and 
outhouses  as  well  as  sheds  and  fences.  He  carries  on  agriculture 
along  modern  and  progressive  lines  and  is  kecnlv  interested  in 
every  new  development  in  farm  machinerv. 

In  1862  Mr.  Gruver  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  P. 
Gurney.  She  was  born  in  Saxony,  Germany,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Godfried  and  Hannah  Rosetta  (Wingler)  Gurney,  both  natives 
of  Germany  who  came  to  Mason  county,  Wisconsin  about  the 
year  1845.  Seven  years  later  they  removed  to  Clinton  county, 
Iowa,  where  they  lived  until  the  father's  death.  His  wife  then 
removed  to  Greene  county  where  she  died.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  ten  children:  Emily,  who  is  deceased;  Fred,  wdio  came  to 
his  death  by  starvation  during  his  service  in  the  Civil  war; 
Charles,  Agnes,  Minnie,  Anna  and  Henry,  all  of  whom  have 
passed  away;  one  child,  who  died  in  infancy;  Emma  P..  the  wife 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch ;  and  G.  A.,  deceased.     Mrs.  Gruver 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  127 

has  al\va3-s  been  a  worthy  helpmeet  of  her  husband  in  his  strug- 
gles toward  success.  Their  married  life  has  been  completely  happy 
and  they  have  gained  many  friends  in  this  section  of  the  country. 
They  w  ere  the  parents  of  eight  children :  Anna,  Mary  and  Haley,  de- 
ceased ;  Hannah  Rosetta,  who  is  married  to  J.  H.  Wood  of  Gowrie, 
Iowa,  and  has  live  children,  Amy,  Perry,  Jim,  Charles  and  George; 
Marion,  working  in  the  coal  mines  in  Des  Moines ;  G.  A.,  who 
resides  in  Havelock  and  married  Miss  Lottie  Johnson,  by  whom 
he  had  two  children.  Pearl  and  Ray;  Henry,  who  lives  in  P'ort 
Dodge,  Iowa,  with  his  wife,  who  was  Miss  Libbie  Lilly,  and  his 
son  Charles  Perry;  and  Isaac,  who  married  Miss  Lola  Lizer,  by 
whom  he  has  one  daughter,  Doris,  and  lives  on  the  home  farm. 

Mr.  Gruver  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican 
party  but  beyond  casting  his  vote  each  election  day  takes  no 
active  part  in  public  affairs.  He  has  always  been  a  loyal  citizen 
and  endeavored  to  serve  his  country  in  the  Civil  war  but  was 
refused  on  account  of  disability.  He  has  always  done  his  duty 
in  the  various  relations  of  life  and  is  a  devout  member  of  the 
Christian  church.  He  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlers  in  this  part 
of  the  country  and  his  life  has  been  an  active  factor  in  its  up- 
building. He  has  made  a  valiant  struggle  against  constantly 
dominating  obstacles  and  has  well  earned  the  prosperity  which 
he  enjoys  and  the  esteem  and  respect  of  his  fellowmen. 


OTTO  G.  YANT. 


Otto  G.  Yant  has  been  cashier  of  the  X'incent  Savings  liank 
since  April,  191 1,  and  is  also  doing  able  and  intelligent  work  as 
general  manager  of  the  Vincent  Telephone  Company,  operating 
exchanges  here  and  in  Thor,  Iowa.  He  is  a  practical  business 
man  with  the  power  to  make  his  ability  effective  and  has  brought 
the  two  enterprises  with  which  he  is  connected  to  a  gratifying 
degree  of  success.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  all  his  life,  his 
birth  having  occurred  in  Polk  county,  on  April  25.  1885.  He  is 
a  son  of  William  and  Emma  (Biddle)  Yant,  natives  of  that  sec- 
tion. His  father  was  reared  and  educated  in  Polk  county  and 
after  he  grew  to  maturity  he  engaged  in  general  fanning  until 
he  was  thirty  years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  learned  photography 
and  followed  that  line  of  occupation  until  his  health  failed,  when 


128  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

he  went  to  Calhoun  county,  where  he  owned  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres.  Upon  this  he  settled,  made  various  im- 
provements and  did  general  farming  until  1900,  going-  in  that  year 
to  Rockwell  City,  where  he  again  established  himself  as  a  photog- 
rapher and  where  he  is  still  carrying  on  a  successful  business. 
The  mother  of  our  subject  is  also  livmg. 

Otto  Yant  completed  an  education  begun  at  Mitchelville,  Polk 
county,  in  the  public  schools  of  Calhoun  county  and  at  the  Rock- 
well City  high  school.  After  laying  aside  his  books  he  learned 
the  barber's  trade  working  at  that  occupation  for  two  years.  His 
banking  career  began  in  1906,  when  he  entered  the  First  National 
Bank  of  Rockwell  City  as  bookkeeper.  He  did  able  and  thorough 
work  in  this  capacity  and  retained  his  identification  with  the 
institution  until  July,  1910,  when  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Fort  Dodge  as  utility  man.  This  position 
he  held  for  some  time  but  was  subsequently  sent  to  Emmetsburg 
as  assistant  cashier  in  a  bank  of  that  city.  After  two  months  he 
came  to  Vincent,  where  he  was  appointed  cashier  of  the  Vincent 
Savings  Bank,  entering  upon  his  duties  in  April,  191 1,  and  being 
still  active.  The  institution  with  which  he  is  identified  is  one  of 
the  leading  banks  in  Newark  township.  It  has  a  capital  of  fifteen 
thousand  dollars  and  its  officers  are  among  the  most  able  business 
men  of  the  section.  The  president  is  .\lbert  Rossow,  while  Paul 
HufYman  of  Eagle  Gro\e,  Iowa,  holds  the  position  of  vice  presi- 
dent. Mr.  Yant  is  a  successful  banker  because  he  has  had  personal 
experience  in  various  aspects  of  that  occupation  and  because  he 
is  conservative  and  systematic  as  a  financier.  He  is  valuable  to 
the  Vincent  Savings  Bank  by  reason  of  his  industry,  practical 
methods  and  intelligent  skill,  which  have  made  him  successful 
and  have  been  factors  in  the  growth  and  development  of  the 
enterprise  with  which  he  is  connected.  He  is  also  general  man- 
ager of  the  Vincent  Telephone  Company,  which  operates  ex- 
changes here  and  at  Thor.  Iowa,  and  is  a  stockholder  and  director 
in  the  enterprise. 

In  April,  1912,  :\Ir.  Yant  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth A.  Clark,  a  daughter  of  E.  W.  and  Mattie  Clark,  natives  of 
Illinois.  He  is  prominent  in  fraternal  circles,  holding  member- 
ship in  Twin  Lakes  Lodge,  No.  478,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Rockwell 
City,  Iowa.  He  is  also  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  Silver  Lake 
Chapter  No.  312,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Church  of  Christ,  while  his  wife  gives  her  allegiance  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  129 

JNlethodist  religion.  He  is  a  republican  in  his  political  beliefs 
but  has  never  sought  prominence  in  a  public  capacity.  In  busi- 
ness affairs  he  has  proven  capable  and  reliable  and  his  industrv 
and  well  directed  activity  are  Ijringing  him  a  gratifxing  measure 
of  prosperity. 


CARROLL  D.  PARSONS,  M.  D.,  D.  D.  S, 

Dr.  Carroll  D.  Parsons  of  \'incent,  Iowa,  combinetl  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  and  dentistry  and  since  1909  has  been  a  resident 
of  this  city  and  has  gained  a  gratifying  degree  of  success  in 
both  professions.  His  career  as  a  dentist  began  in  1900  and  to 
his  activities  in  this  line  he  added  the  general  practice  of  med- 
icine in  1908.  He  is  able  and  thoroughly  trained,  his  prosperity 
being  the  natural  result  of  his  energy  and  efficiency.  He  is  well 
known  in  various  sections  of  Iowa,  having  been  a  resident  of  the 
state  since  his  birth,  which  occurred  in  Waterloo,  Blackhawk 
county,  in  November,  1879.  He  is  a  son  of  Roscoe  and  Ellen 
(Spaulding)  Parsons,  the  former  a  native  of  Vermont  and  the 
latter  of  New  Jersey.  His  father  came  to  Iowa  when  he  was 
still  a  child  and  with  his  parents,  settled  in  this  state,  where  he 
was  reared  and  educated.  The  family  located  in  ^\'aterloo  before 
the  Civil  war  and  later  the  father  entered  a  Chicago  medical 
school,  receiving  his  degree  of  AI.  D.  He  located  in  Traer,  Iowa, 
and  here  practiced  his  profession  until  his  death  which  occurred 
in  March,  1903.     His  wife  survives  him. 

Dr.  Parsons  was  only  three  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
moved  to  Traer.  He  attended  the  public  schools  of  that  com- 
munity and  in  1897  entered  the  State  University  at  Iowa  City, 
graduating  in  dentistry  with  the  class  of  1900.  He  located  im- 
mediately in  Lake  City,  Iowa.  Here  he  was  successful  until 
November,  1904,  when  he  removed  to  Alden,  where  he  practiced 
one  year.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  went  to  Iowa  City,  entered 
the  medical  department  of  the  State  University  and  after  one 
year's  study  came  to  Chicago,  graduating  in  1908  from  the  Hahne- 
mann Medical  College  of  that  city.  In  the  same  year  he  went  to 
Oelwein  and  practiced  dentistry  and  general  medicine  for  one 
year  in  that  city  before  he  came  to  Vincent,  where  he  has 
since  resided.    He  is  progressive,  modern  and  up-to-date  in  every 


130  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

phase  of  his  practice,  keeping  constantly  in  touch  with  every  new 
development  in  medical  research,  investigation  and  experiment. 
His  knowledge  is  constantly  broadening  and  his  practice  increas- 
ing as  his  ability  becomes  more  widely  known. 

On  May  i6,  191 1,  Dr.  Parsons  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
May  McElroy,  a  daughter  of  Harry,  and  Elizabeth  (Redding) 
McElroy,  the  former  a  native  of  Chicago  and  the  latter  of  Minne- 
sota. The  father  was  a  railroad  man  and  was  killed  in  an  acci- 
dent in  his  native  city  in  1895.  His  wife  survived  him  by  one 
year. 

In  politics  Dr.  Parsons  is  a  consistent  republican  and  votes  the 
party  ticket,  although  his  professional  duties  prevent  him  from 
taking  active  part  in  public  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Fayette  County  Medical  Society  and  is  prominent  in  the  affairs  of 
the  Order  of  Elks  and  the  Order  of  Moose,  holding  membership 
also  in  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  His  wife  is  a  devout  adherent  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  church.  He  is  one  of  the  successful  general 
practitioners  and  dentists  in  Vincent.  The  zeal  with  which  he 
has  devoted  his  energies  to  his  profession  and  the  careful  regard 
which  he  manifests  for  the  interests  of  his  patients  have  brought 
him  a  large  practice  and  made  him  very  successful  in  its  conduct. 


FRANCIS   B.   DRAKE. 


Francis  B.  Drake  is  living  in  a  pleasant  and  comfortable  home 
in  Otho,  to  which  he  removed  about  twelve  years  ago,  when  he 
definitely  abandoned  agricultural  pursuits  after  a  period  of  almost 
fifty  years'  successful  identification  with  farming.  He  is  num- 
bered among  the  early  settlers,  in  Iowa  and  his  activities  have 
been  connected  with  an  important  period  of  development  and 
have  gained  him  recognition  as  a  man  of  resourceful  ability  and 
well  directed  energy.  He  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  county,  New 
York,  July  27.  1832,  a  son  of  David  B.  and  Caroline  (Wilson) 
Drake,  the  former  a  native  of  Vermont  and  the  latter  of  New 
Hampshire.  The  father  came  to  New  York  about  the  year 
1828  and  there  engaged  in  farming,  cultivating  and  developing 
a  tract  of  timber  land  and  obtaining  his  water  supply  from  a  plant 
which  he  erected  upon  his  property.  Later  he  became  interested 
in   a   woolen   factory  but   abandoned    this   line   of  occupation   in 


-u 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  133 

order  to  resume  his  agricultural  pursuits.  He  cleared  and  im- 
proved a  large  farm  in  St.  Lawrence  county  and  operated  this 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1869.  He  had  survived  his 
wife  since  1864. 

Francis  B.  Drake  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  St.  Lawrence  Academy  of  New  York  state,  and  made  use 
of  every  opportunity  in  this  line,  fitting  himself  for  teaching, 
which  occupation  he  followed  for  a  numlier  of  years.  In  1854 
he  came  west,  settling  in  Webster  county,  where  he  entered  a 
claim  for  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Otho  township, 
paying  for  this  property  a  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre.  Shortly 
afterward  he  sold  his  first  farm  and  bought  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  in  the  same  township,  which  he  developed  and 
improved  for  ten  years.  \\'hen  he  sold  this  tract  of  land  he 
bought  another  farm  in  Clay  township,  which  he  operated  until 
1900,  when  he  disposed  of  his  property  and  moved  to  Otho,  wdiere 
he  erected  a  fine  modern  home,  in  which  he  has  since  resided. 
He  is  living  practically  retired  but  is  dealing  to  some  extent  in 
Nebraska  real  estate. 

On  April  16,  1857,  i\Ir.  Drake  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Caroline  E.  Hart,  a  daughter  of  Norman  and  Marcia  (Hale) 
Harf,  natives  of  Connecticut.  The  father  came  to  Adams  county. 
Illinois,  in  1834  but  remained  only  a  short  time.  Removing  to 
Kane  county,  he  took  up  a  tract  of  fine  farming  land  and  operated 
and  improved  this  until  1854,  when  he  disposed  of  his  property 
and  came  to  Webster  county.  Here  he  took  up  eighty  acres  in 
Otho  township  and  each  member  of  his  family  also  entered  land 
claims.  L'pon  their  combined  holdings  Norman  Hart  carried  on 
general  agriculture,  improving  his  property  and  developing  and 
operating  it  along  the  most  systematic,  progressive  and  modern 
lines  until  his  death,  which  occurred  March  30.  1880.  He  was 
one  of  the  earliest  pioneers  in  Iowa,  coming  to  this  section  when 
there  was  not  a  railroad  within  the  state  limits  and  none  beyond 
the  boundaries  of  central  Illinois.  He  was  a  splendid  type  of 
the  early  settler,  hard-working,  energetic  and  intelligent,  and 
was  perhaps  one  of  the  greatest  individual  forces  in  the  upbuild- 
ing and  growth  of  Webster  county.  Flis  wife  passed  away  in 
February,  1875.  y]v.  and  Mrs.  Drake  have  three  adopted  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  are  married. 

Mr.  Drake  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and 
has  always  been  active  and   pronu'ncnt   in   local  affairs,  holding 


134  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

various  important  public  offices  and  serving  faithfully,  ably  and 
conscientiously  in  the  interests  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  was 
county  surveyor  and  county  supervisor  for  a  number  of  years 
and  also  did  effective  work  as  road  super\'isor.  Among  his  tJther 
offices  may  be  mentioned  those  of  township  c'erk,  assessor  and 
trustee,  in  all  of  which  capacities  he  served  efficiently  and  always 
with  a  view  to  the  best  interests  of  his  constituents.  During  the 
Civil  war  he  served  as  postmaster  of  Otho,  Ijcing  the  first  post- 
master of  the  village.  At  the  present  time  lie  is  justice  of  the 
peace  and  is  bringing  to  the  discharge  of  the  duties  of  this  office 
the  same  unquestioned  integrity,  well  directed  energy  and  ex- 
perienced discrimination  which  have  marked  the  entire  course  of 
his  pul)lic  life.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Congregational 
church.  For  almost  half  a  century  he  has  lived  in  Iowa  and  has 
promoted  the  growth  of  its  most  important  resource — agricul- 
ture. He  has  witnessed  the  progress  and  evolution  which  ha\e 
come  in  fifty  years  of  modern  activity  and  to  a  great  e.xtent  has 
been  identified  with  the  change,  working  ably  and  intelligently 
in  his  active  years  and  earning  his  retirement  1)y  energ\-  and 
diligence. 


MAUDE  LAUDERDALE. 

While  Iowa  as  a  state  has  never  accorded  to  woman  the  right 
of  franchise,  various  districts  have  acknowledged  her  capability 
for  service  in  public  office  and  have  called  her  to  positions  of 
trust  and  responsibility.  Such  is  the  case  in  Webster  county, 
where  Miss  Maude  Lauderdale  of  Fort  Dodge  is  serving  as 
county  recorder.  Her  birthplace  was  Sunnyside  Farm  in  I'.uch- 
anan  county.  Iowa,  her  parents  being  Edwin  I.  and  Sadie  [•" 
(Marshall)  Lauderdale,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Brooklyn.  Xew  York, 
respectively.  The  Lauderdale  family  is  of  Scotch  origin,  while 
the  Marshalls  were  English  and  the  Luthers  of  German  descent. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  George  H.  Lauderdale,  also  a  native 
of  Ohio,  wedded  ]\Iary  Pocock  and  followed  the  occupation  of 
farming.  EventuaHy  he  and  his  wife  remo\ed  to  Iowa,  settling 
in  Buchanan  county,  where  he  carried  on  general  agricultural 
pursuits  for  a  considerable  period,  until  his  i-em(i\al  li>  indeiicnil- 
ence,   where   lie   and    liis    wife    spent    their    remaining   days.      He 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COL'XTV  135 

passed  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  and  his  wife  when  eighty- 
four  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of  three  sons:  Edwin 
I.;  John  W. ;  and  Frank,  who  was  killed  in  the  Civil  war.  The 
maternal  grandparents  of  Miss  Lauderdale  were  Robert  and  Mary 
Catharine  (Luther)  Marshall,  the  latter  a  direct  descendant  of 
Martin  Luther.  The  former  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  New  York, 
and  there  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  rope,  but  after  his 
removal  to  Iowa,  in  i860,  he  purchased  two  farms — one  in 
Grundy  county,  which  he  bought  for  his  two  eldest  sons,  and 
one  in  Humboldt  county,  upon  which  he  took  up  his  abotle.  cul- 
tivating and  improving  it  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  June 
26,  1875,  when  he  was  well  advanced  in  years.  His  wife  sur- 
vived him  an<l  died  October  7,  1899,  in  Fort  Dodge  at  the  age 
of  eighty-nine  years.  They  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  chil- 
dren, of  whom  the  following  reached  years  of  maturity,  namely: 
Kate,  who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  John  Frazier;  Thomas 
A.;  Robert;  Mary  Grace,  who  wedded  Thomas  Cummings :  Sadie 
F.,  wife  of  Edwin  L  Lauderdale:  John  L. :  Annie  R.,  the  wife  of 
James  B.  Williams:  William  K.;  Cornelia  C,  the  wife  of  C.  P. 
Byam ;  and  JNLirgaret  Antoinette. 

Edwin  L  Lauderdale  was  reared  in  Ohio  and  became  a  prac- 
ticing dentist.  Removing  westward  during  the  pioneer  epoch 
in  the  historv  of  Iowa,  he  became  one  of  the  incorporators  of 
Fort  Dodge,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  in  connection 
with  Dr.  V.  G.  .Slate.  He  served  his  country  as  a  soldier  in  the 
Civil  war.  enlisting  in  an  Ohio  ca\'alr\-  regiment.  His  wife.  Sadie 
F.  Lauderdale  was  bctrn  and  reared  in  I'.rodklyn,  Xew  \'ork.  came 
to  Fort  Dodge  in  i860  and  is  still  residing  here.  They  had  but 
two  children,  the  elder  being  George  H.,  now  a  resident  of  Chi- 
cago. Miss  Lauderdale  is  related  to  several  of  the  prominent 
old  families  of  Webster  county,  including  James  B.  Williams,  now 
deceased,  who  was  the  son  of  William  \\  iiliams.  the  founder  of 
Fort  Dodge.  Her  uncle,  Dr.  jdlni  1..  Marshall,  also  deceased, 
was  a  leading  dentist  of  the  city.  Ik-  came  here  when  a  young 
boy,  was  reared  to  manhond  in  this  county  and  practiced  den- 
tistry here  for  manv  years,  until  his  death  which  occurred  on 
June  23,  1890.  He  married  Luclla  Wallace,  a  niece  of  Judge  W. 
N.  Meservey,  one  of  the  old  settlers  and  early  judges  here  and 
the  father  of  the  Hon.  S.  T.  Meservey  of  Chicago. 

Maude  Lauderdale  was  reared  in  Fort  Dodge  from  the  age  of 
eight  years,   attended   the   public   schools   and,    passing   through 


'  136  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

consecutive  grades,  was  in  due  time  graduated  from  the  high 
school.  The  first  money  she  ever  earned  was  as  committee  clerk 
in  the  Iowa  house  of  representatives  and  later  she  became  as- 
sistant postmistress  of  Fort  Dodge  under  C.  F.  Duncombe,  filling 
that  position  for  three  years.  She  then  took  up  the  profession  of 
bookkeeping,  which  she  followed  for  several  years,  and  in  1902 
she  became  connected  with  the  abstract  business  as  a  partner  of 
her  uncle.  James  B.  Williams,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Webster 
County  Abstract  Company.  The  uncle  died  in  1903  but  Miss 
Lauderdale  still  continues  the  business  successfully.  In  1910  she 
was  elected  recorder  of  Webster  county  for  the  years  191 1  and 
1912  as  the  candidate  of  the  democratic  party  and  is  now  accept- 
ably filling  that  position.  She  has  had  broad  and  varied  business 
experience,  recognizes  the  value  of  carefully  systematized  inter- 
ests and  of  methodical  effort  and  as  the  incumbent  in  the  office  of 
county  recorder  is  making  a  most  excellent  record.  She  holds 
membership  with  the  Episcopal  church  and  is  highly  esteemed 
in  social  circles. 


JOHX  W.  HAGANS. 


John  W.  Hagans  is  one  of  the  progressive,  substantial  and  en- 
terprising citizens  of  Barnum,  where  he  is  living  retired  after 
forty-four  years'  identification  with  business  and  agricultural 
interests  in  Iowa.  His  residence  in  Webster  county  dates  from 
1879  ^"''  since  that  time  his  activities  have  been  connected  with 
important  industries  in  this  section.  He  was  born  in  Orange 
county.  New  York,  on  January  5.  1838,  and  is  a  son  of  Wesley  and 
Ellen  (Brown)  Hagans.  the  former  a  native  of  Philadelphia  and 
the  latter  of  New  York.  His  father  was  a  practicing  physician 
and  left  his  native  city  in  1857  in  order  to  locate  in  Goshen,  In- 
diana, where  he  followed  his  profession  for  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  He  died  in  1866.  His  wife  passed  away  in  Barnum.  in 
1907. 

Mr.  Hagans  remained  in  New  York  until  he  was  nineteen 
years  of  age  and  completed  his  education  begun  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  city  in  Indiana,  where  he  removed  with  his  father 
m  18^7.  He  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1862.  lo- 
catin"-  for  ]iractice  in  Goshen,  where  he  entered  into  partnership 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER^ COUNTY  137 

with  Mr.  Dickinson,  under  the  tirni  name  of  Dickinson  &  Hagans. 
He  was  successful  as  a  lawyer  until  iS66,  when  he  abandoned 
this  field  in  order  to  establish  himself  in  the  photograph  business 
at  Goshen,  in  which  he  continued  for  one  year.  In  1867  he  pur- 
chased a  shoe  store,  which  he  conducted  until  he  came  to  Iowa 
in  1868.  In  this  state  he  located  in  Clinton  county,  where  he  was 
employed  along  mechanical  lines  until  1879.  He  had  an  instinct 
for  this  work  and  was  successful  at  it.  He  then  came  to  Webster 
county  purchasing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  sections  30 
and  31,  Johnson  township,  to  which  he  later  added  eighty  adjoin- 
ing acres.  He  set  about  the  improvement  of  this  property  along 
progressive  and  modern  lines  and  gained  prosperity  as  general 
agriculturist  during  the  short  period  in  which  he  followed  farm- 
ing, subsequent  to  which  he  returned  to  Clinton,  where  for  eight- 
een months  he  worked  at  different  occupations,  coming  back  at 
the  end  of  that  time  to  his  farm  in  Webster  county,  which  he 
cultivated  until  1902.  In  that  year  he  retired  from  agricultural 
life  and  moved  to  Barnum,  where  he  has  since  resided. 

On  January  18,  1866,  Mr.  Hagans  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  A.  Gillett,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Mary  Gillett, 
natives  of  New  York.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hagans  were  the  parents  of 
six  children:  Francis  J.,  who  passed  away  in  1868;  Frances  May, 
who  is  forty-three  years  old  and  the  wife  of  Howard  Moore  of 
Missouri;  Charles  W.,  who  died  in  infancy;  Charles  G.,  who  re- 
sides in  Omaha.  Nebraska:  Nellie:  and  one  child,  who  died  in 
infancy.     Mrs.  Hagans  died  on  July  12.  1898. 

Mr.  Hagans  is  now  active  in  the  insurance  business  in  this 
city  and  has  varied  interests,  all  of  which  are  forces  in  local 
growth  and  expansion.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  and  is  vice  president  of  the  Farmers  Grain 
Dealers'  Association  of  Iowa.  He  also  acts  as  president  of  the 
Barnum  Telephone  Company  and  was  the  organizer  of  this 
corporation  and  of  the  local  elevator  company.  He  has  an  inborn 
faculty  for  invention  and  is  adding  to  lii>  income  by  the  sale  of 
the  Hagans'  fence  post,  which  is  fully  protected  by  United 
.States  and  Canadian  patents.  It  has  many  advantages  over  the 
common  forms  now  in  use.  being  cheap,  simple,  strong  and  very 
lasting.  It  is  handled  by  the  .\merican  Patent  &  Promoting 
Company  of  Detroit,  Michigan. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Hagans  is  a  consistent  democrat  and 
served   as  president  of  the  Johnsf)n   township   school  board   for 


138  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

twenty  years.  His  name  is  always  prominent  in  any  movement 
looking  toward  the  further  development  and  improvement  of 
the  section  in  which  he  resides  and  his  life  has  been  a  great 
individual  force  in  its  progress.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Alasonic 
lodge,  having  been  identified  with  this  order  since  1861.  He  is 
a  Methodist  in  his  religious  views  and  a  man  of  exemplary  life. 
He  has  all  the  adaptability  and  the  force  of  personality  which 
distinguish,  men  who  have  been  acti\e  in  various  representative 
enterprises.  He  is  straightforward,  upright,  energetic  and  hon- 
orable, and  possesses  those  characteristics  which  are  the  essential 
qualities  of  public  spirit. 


CHARLES  HENRY  ALLSTOT. 

Charles  Henry  Allstot  was  born  July  7,  1868,  in  Dubuqu^ 
county,  Iowa,  and  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  in  Greene  county,  that  state.  After  completing  his 
education  he  removed  to  Webster  county,  Iowa,  in  1885  and  in 
partnership  with  his  brother,  James  Allstot,  was  engaged  in 
farming  for  four  j'ears.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  established 
himself  in  farming  on  his  father-in-law's  farm,  where  he  remained 
for  nine  years.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  of  forty  acres  from 
Jesse  Miles.  There  he  established  his  home  and  has  since  con- 
tinued to  devote  his  attention  to  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising. 

Mr.  Allstot  was  united  in  marriage,  March  2.  1890,  to  Miss 
Clarinda  Black,  a  native  of  Lehigh,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of 
James  Monroe  and  Mary  Jane  (Fye)  Black.  The  father  was 
born  in  the  southeastern  part  of  Iowa  and  celebrated  his  marriage 
in  Webster  county.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  ])arents  of  four 
children:  Cora  Arva ;  Edward;  Clarinda,  now  Mrs.  Allstot:  and 
John,  who  married  Nettie  Rufer,  by  whom  he  has  one  child.  Rufer 
M.  Black.  The  father  of  this  family  died  in  Burnside  township 
at  the  age  of  fifty-five  and  the  mother  was  fifty  years  of  age  when 
she  passed  away.  Both  are  buried  in  Otho  cemetery.  The  father 
was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  the  mother 
of  the  United  Brethren  church.  Mr.  Black  for  twelve  years 
previous  to  his  death  had  been  one  of  the  trustees  of  Burnside 
township  and  lived  at  the  time  of  his  death  a  retired  life  on  his 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  139 

farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  \\'ebster  county,  which  has  since 
passed  through  the  probate  courts  and  each  of  his  surviving  heirs 
have  received  their  portion  of  the  property,  fifty  acres  of  which 
was  the  share  of  the  old  homestead  deeded  to  Mrs.  Allstot.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Allstot  three  children  have  been  born:  Roy,  who 
died  in  infancy;  and  Archie  Ray  and  Clyde  Bertsel.  both  at  home. 
Mr.  Allstot  is  known  to  be  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  his 
locality  and  is  numbered  among  the  progressive,  useful  citizens 
of  his  part  of  the  state.  Of  late  he  has  purchased  a  fine  farm  jirop- 
ertv  near  Windholm.  ■Minnesota. 


A.  L.  BESHEY. 


A.  L.  Beshey,  mayor  of  Tara,  Iowa,  in  the  eighteenth  consecutive 
year  of  his  service,  well  known  as  a  general  merchant  and  hotel  pro- 
prietor and  active  in  local  democratic  politics,  was  born  in  France, 
July  5,  1852,  and  is  a  .'^on  of  Joseph  and  Mary  (^  Phillips)  Beshey, 
natives  of  that  country.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  operated  a 
small  tract  of  land  in  France.  He  came  to  .America  in  1858  and  settled 
near  Portsmouth,  C)hio.  Here  he  purchased  timber  Iau<l  and  cleared 
and  improved  his  eighty  acres,  operating  the  property  successfully 
for  eighteen  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  sold  out  and  went  to 
Illinois,  where  he  fanned  upon  rented  land  until  his  death.  His 
wife  passed  away  in  September.  1888. 

Mr.  Beshey  was  reared  at  home  and  completed  an  education  begun  in 
the  public  schools  of  Ohio  in  Lee  Center  College  at  Lee  Center,  Illinois. 
When  he  laid  aside  his  books  he  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  until  he 
acquired  enough  money  to  join  his  brother  in  the  i)urchase  of  a 
threshing  outfit,  which  they  were  successful  in  oi)erating  for  five 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  Mr.  Beshey  came  to  Iowa,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Walcott.  This  enterprise  he 
operated  for  about  four  years,  disposing  of  his  holdings  eventually 
in  order  to  go  to  Clark  county,  Kansas,  where  he  preempted  a  quarter 
section  of  land,  proved  up  his  title  and  purchased  it  for  one  dollar  and 
a  cpiarter  an  acre.  Later  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
timber  land,  to  which  he  added  another  tract  of  school  land  of  similar 
size.  He  improved  this  pn(|)erty  and  operated  it  for  si.\  years,  at  the 
same  time  engaging  as  a  hardware  and  farm  implement  merchant. 
He  was  successful  in  both  lines  of  occupation  but  finally  dispo.sed  of 


140  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

his  interests  in  Kansas  and  moved  to  Missouri,  where  he  bought  two 
hundred  and  fifteen  acres  in  Polk  county.  Upon  this  he  carried  on 
general  agricultural  pursuits  for  six  years,  coming  to  Webster  county, 
Iowa,  at  the  end  of  that  time.  He  located  immediately  in  Tara,  six 
miles  west  of  Fort  Dodge,  bought  village  property  and  established 
himself  in  the  mercantile  business,  which  he  has  conducted  since  that 
time.  In  1909  he  purchased  a  business  building  and  six  town  lots 
and  opened  a  hotel,  with  which  he  is  at  present  connected.  He  has 
been  successful  in  both  lines  of  occupation,  having  founded  his  pros- 
perity on  industry,  straightforward  business  methods  and  unquestioned 
honesty. 

On  January  i,  1886,  Mr.  Beshey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Percilla  Miller,  a  daughter  of  Ralph  and  Elizabeth  Miller,  the  former 
a  native  of  England  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Beshey  became  the  parents  of  seven  children.  Those  living  are 
Elmer,  Ivy,  Celia  M.,  Alice,  Louis  and  Edna. 

Mr.  Beshey  is  well  known  and  favorably  regarded  in  democratic 
political  circles.  He  is  at  present  mayor  of  Tara  and  has  served  in 
this  capacity  for  the  past  eighteen  years.  He  was  for  a  long  time 
school  director  of  his  township  and  did  able  work  as  justice  of  the 
peace,  which  office  he  is  now  holding.  He  was  appointed  postmaster 
but  refused  the  office,  with  the  result  that  there  is  no  postoffice  in  the 
village.  He  belongs  to  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  There  is  hardly 
a  line  of  legitimate  activity  in  which  he  is  not  interested  and  active. 
His  business  affairs  are  thriving  and  ably  conducted,  his  political 
record  is  clean  and  free  from  any  suspicion  of  corruption,  and  his 
labors  along  both  lines  have  been  constantly  constructive  and  his  life 
has  been  worthy  and  honorable  because  it  has  been  useful  and 
valuable. 


WILLIAM   LINGARD. 


^V'illiam  Lingard,  who  is  engaged  in  business  in  association 
with  his  brother,  George  E.,  conducts  a  meat  market  and  grocery 
at  Kalo  and  also  operates  a  similar  enterprise  at  Otho,  both  es- 
tablishments having  a  large  patronage.  His  birth  occurred  in 
Lincolnshire,  England,  on  the  7th  of  April,  1852,  his  parents  being 
Edward  and  Esther  (Smith)  Lingard,  who  were  also  natives  of 
that  country.     The  father,  a  mason  by  trade,  brought  his  familv 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  141 

lo  America  in  1853,  locating  in  Canada,  where  he  remained  for 
two  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Iowa, 
locating  first  in  Dewitt,  Clinton  county,  and  later  in  Boone,  where 
he  w'orked  as  a  coal  miner  and  resided  until  1882.  In  that  year 
he  came  to  Webster  county,  settling  at  Kalo,  where  he  engaged 
in  coal  mining  and  made  his  home  throughout  the  remainder 
of  his  life.  In  1862,  in  the  defense  of  the  Union,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  A,  Twenty-sixth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which 
command  he  remained  until  the  cessation  of  hostilities.  His 
demise  occurred  in  May,  1904.  while  his  wife  was  called  to  her 
final  rest  on  the  30th  of  November,  1908. 

William  Lingard.  who  was  brought  to  America  by  his  parents 
when  but  one  year  old,  acquired  his  education  at  Dewitt.  Clin- 
ton county,  this  state.  After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he 
began  mining  coal  at  Boone,  being  thus  employed  for  some  time. 
At  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  however,  he  went  to  Nebraska,  took 
up  a  homestead  and  resided  thereon  for  six  years.  It  was  in 
1882  that  he  came  to  Kalo,  Webster  county,  locating  here  in  the 
same  year  that  his  father  took  up  his  abode  in  this  county.  He 
again  turned  his  attention  to  coal  miaing  and  was  thus  employed 
until  forty  years  of  age.  In  1892,  in  partnership  with  liis  brother, 
George  E.,  he  opened  a  meat  market  at  Kalo,  to  which  he  later 
added  a  grocery  department  and  which  he  has  conducted  con- 
tinuously since  with  gratifying  success.  The  brothers  also  con- 
duct a  meat  market  and  grocery  store  at  Otho  and  have  built  up 
an  extensive  trade  in  both  places,  having  won  an  enviable  repu- 
tation by  reason  of  their  straightforward  and  honorable  business 
dealings.  They  do  an  annual  business  amounting  to  over  twenty- 
three  thousand  dollars.  William  Lingard  and  his  brother  own  a 
well  improved  farm  near  Kalo  and  have  an  attractive  home  in 
that  town. 

On  the  25th  of  April,  1878,  Mr.  Lingard  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Marion  Stewart,  a  daughter  of  Louis  and  Jane  Stewart, 
both  natives  of  Scotland.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  have  three 
children,  namely:  William,  who  is  thirty-two  years  of  age  and 
assists  his  father  in  the  conduct  of  his  business;  Matilda  J.,  the 
wife  of  Adam  Krouse,  a  miner  and  farmer;  and  inorence,  who  is 
fifteen  years  of  age  and  is  under  the  parental  roof.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lingard  reared  a  boy  named  Gus  Anderson,  who  passed  away  in 
1899  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years. 


142  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

William  Lingard  is  a  republican  and  has  served  as  trustee  of 
Otho  township  for  six  years.  He  belongs  to  the  local  organiza- 
tion of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is  also  a 
valued  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  He  has  many 
friends  in  the  community  where  he  resides,  and  his  excellent 
traits  of  character  have  gained  for  him  the  respect  and  regard 
of  his  fellowmen. 


LOUIS  O.  MYRLAXD. 

Louis  O.  Alyrland,  a  blacksmith  and  rural  mail  carrier  in 
Badger,  Iowa,  was  born  in  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  in  December, 
1872,  and  is  a  son  of  O.  P.  and  Emily  P.  (Simondson)  Myrland, 
natives  of  Norway.  The  father  came  to  this  country  with  his 
parents  in  the  early  '50s,  the  family  locating  in  Wisconsin,  where 
O.  P.  Myrland  grew  to  maturity.  He  followed  farming  for  a 
number  of  years,  renting  a  tract  of  land  in  Dane  county,  which 
he  hnally  purchased  and  improved,  operating  it  until  1888.  In 
1892  he  moved  to  Jackson,  Minnesota,  where  he  and  his  wife  have 
since  resided. 

Louis  O.  Myrland  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wisconsin  and 
in  that  state  he  began  learning  the  blacksmith's  trade.  At  the 
end  of  two  years  he  came  to  Badger,  where  he  completed  his 
apprenticeship.  He  worked  at  this  occupation  for  a  year  and  a 
half,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  able  to  purchase  a  shop  of 
his  own,  which  he  has  since  operated.  His  business  is  rapidly 
increasing,  prosperity  having  come  to  him  because  he  labored 
diligently  to  attain  it.  He  has  applied  his  energies  successfully 
to  the  promotion  of  his  enterprise  and  has  won  success  bv  the 
sure  method  of  hard  and  continued  work.  In  February,  1906, 
he  was  appointed  rural  mail  carrier  of  Badger  township  and 
has  continued  in  the  service  since  that  time.  He  owns  his  busi- 
ness property  and  a  comfortable  and  pleasant  home  in  the  city 
in  which  he  resides  and  is  interested  in  its  future  growth  and 
welfare.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Badger  Telephone  Company, 
seeking  to  do  his  utmost  to  encourage  local  enterprises. 

In  June,  1900,  Mr.  Myrland  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Belle  Lee,  a  daughter  of  Helge  and  .-\nna  Lee.  natives  of  Norwav. 
The  father  was  an  early  settler  in  Wisconsin,  where  he  followed 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  143 

farming  until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  He  was  drafted  in 
the  Federal  army  and  served  for  some  time,  returning  to  Wis- 
consin after  his  discharge.  Here  he  resumed  agricultural  pur- 
suits, operating  his  farm  until  1877,  when  lie  came  to  Iowa, 
settling  in  Hancock  county,  where  he  purchased  a  fine  tract  of 
land,  which  he  brought  to  a  high  state  of  development  before  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1896.  His  wife  is  still  living  and  makes 
her  home  in  Britt,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Mvrland  ])ecame  the 
parents  of  two  children:  Marvyl,  who  is  nine  years  of  age;  and 
Fern  Anniveve,  who  died  in  .Vprij,  igog,  when  she  was  three 
months  old. 

Mr.  Mvrland  is  a  member  of  the  Lutiieran  church  of  Ikidger 
and  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  .\merica.  He  is  well 
known  in  local  republican  politics  and  has  served  continuously 
for  ten  or  twelve  years  as  member  of  the  town  council.  He 
never  seeks  to  evade  the  obligations  of  citizenship  and  is  influ- 
enced in  his  public  activities  l)y  an  interest  in  the  growth  and 
prosperity  of  his  section.  His  standards  both  in  business  and 
in  politics  are  modern  and  progressive  and  his  energies,  well 
applied  and  directed,  have  brought  him  a  gratifying  measure  of 
success. 


THOMAS    H.    DAWSON. 

Thomas  H.  Dawson  is  successfully  engaged  in  business  as  a 
member  of  the  Craig  &  Dawson  Coal  Company,  with  offices  at 
No.  4  North  Seventh  street  in  Fort  Dodge.  A  native  of  Webster 
county,  he  has  spent  his  entire  life  within  its  borders  and  now 
makes  his  home  at  No.  1302  Fifth  avenue.  South,  in  Fort  Dodge. 
His  birth  occurred  on  the  3d  of  February,  1877,  his  parents  being 
Jerry  and  Mary  Jane  (Wonders)  Dawson,  the  former  a  native  of 
England.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Robert  Dawson,  was  also 
born  in  England  and  devoted  the  greater  part  of  his  life  to  general 
agricultural  pursuits.  His  demise  occurred  at  Kalo,  this  stale. 
To  him,  and  his  wife  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Alma  Peart, 
were  born  twelve  children,  six  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  as 
follows:  Joshua:  Jerry:  Nellie,  the  deceased  wife  of  David  Wil- 
liams; Mary,  the  deceased  wife  of  Tabor  Moore;  William,  who  is 
a  resident  of  Otho,  Iowa:  and  Elizabeth,  who  gave  her  hand  in 


144  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

marriage  to  Orville  Brown  and  resides  in  Calhoun  county,  Iowa. 
The  maternal  grandparents  of  our  subject,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas 
Wonders,  became  early  settlers  of  this  county  and  here  passed 
away  when  about  seventy  years  of  age.  They  had  three  sons  and 
tour  daughters,  Mary  Jane,  Margaret,  Thomas,  Martha,  John 
William,  Elizabeth  and  Joseph. 

Jerry  Dawson,  the  father  of  Thomas  H.  Dawson,  was  nine 
years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  emigration 
to  the  United  States,  the  family  home  being  first  established  in 
Coshocton,  Ohio,  and  later  at  Moingona,  Iowa.  Subsequently  the 
family  spent  four  or  five  years  in  Manson,  this  state,  and  then 
removed  to  Kalo,  where  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Dawson  passed 
away  wlien  well  advanced  in  years.  Jerry  Dawson  removed  from 
Manson  to  Coalville  and  thence  to  Kalo,  where  he  became  a  coal 
mine  operator.  During  the  period  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted 
for  one  hundred  days'  service  as  a  private,  becoming  a  member  of 
Company  G,  One  hundred  and  Forty-third  Ohio  National  Guard. 
He  was  a  stanch  republican  but  never  sought  nor  desired  public 
ofiiice  as  a  reward  for  his  party  fealty.  Fraternally,  he  was  identi- 
fied with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  passed 
away  at  Kalo  in  1907,  when  sixty-three  years  of  age,  and  the 
community  lost  one  of  its  most  substantial  and  esteemed  citizens. 
His  widow,  now  si.xty-four  years  of  age,  lives  at  Otho  and  is  a 
Methodist  in  religious  faith.  To  Mr.  anr]  Mrs.  Jerry  Dawson 
were  born  five  children,  namely:  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  William 
Schnurr,  of  Otho,  Iowa;  Thomas  H..  of  this  review:  Emerson 
W.,  deceased;  Alma,  the  wife  of  Alexander  Reid,  of  Otho;  and 
Mary  Ellen,  living  in  Otho. 

Thomas  H.  Dawson,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  was 
reared  to  manhood  in  Webster  county  and  obtained  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  country  schools,  while  later  he  attended  the  ])ublic 
schools  of  Kalo.  Subsequently  he  continued  his  studies  in  the 
Fort  Dodge  high  school  and  also  in  Tobin  College.  Since  putting 
aside  his  text-books  he  has  been  continuously  identified  with  the 
coal  business  operating  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  and  also  in  Higbee, 
Missouri.  He  recently  disposed  of  his  interests  in  the  latter 
place  and  now-  devotes  his  entire  attention  to  the  conduct  of  the 
Craig  &  Dawson  Coal  Company  of  Fort  Dodge.  His  efforts  have 
been  attended  with  success  and  he  has  long  enjoyed  an  enviable 
reputation  as  one  of  the  representative  and  prosperous  business 
men  of  the  city. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  145 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1900,  Mr.  Dawson  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Ursula  Griggs,  a  native  of  Mexico,  Missouri,  and 
a  daughter  of  Benjamin  and  Mary  Jane  (Morris)  Griggs.  Her 
father,  wlio  participated  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  Confederate  soldier, 
passed  away  at  Higbee,  Missouri,  but  the  mother  survives  and' 
makes  her  home  in  Denver,  Colorado.  She  has  five  living  chil- 
dren, Commodore  Griggs.  Sonora,  Ursula,  Henry  B.  and  Data. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dawson  have  one  son.  Emerson  Blanton.  The 
mother  is  a  devoted  member  of  the  Episcopal  church.  Fra- 
ternally. Thomas  H.  Dawson  is  known  as  a  Master  Alason.  His 
political  allegiance  is  given  the  republican  party.  His  entire 
life  has  been  passed  in  this  county  and  he  has  attained  a  creditable 
position  in  business  circles,  while  his  sincere  cordiality  has  won 
him  the  friendship  of  many. 


GEORGE  E.   LINGARD. 

George  E.  Lingard  is  well  known  in  business  circles  of  Webster 
county  as  the  proprietor  of  meat  markets  and  grocery  stores  at 
Kalo  and  Otho,  which  establishments  he  conducts  in  partner- 
ship with  his  brother,  William  Lingard.  He  was  born  in  Dewitt, 
Clinton  county,  Iowa,  on  the  2d  of  October,  1866,  his  parents  be- 
ing Edward  and  Esther  (Smith)  Lingard,  more  extended  men- 
tion of  whom  is  made  on  another  jjage  of  this  work  in  connection 
with  the  sketch  of  William  Lingard. 

George  E.  Lingard  obtainetl  his  early  education  in  Boone 
county,  Iowa,  and  later  continued  his  studies  in  Nebraska.  In 
1882  the  family  home  was  established  at  Kalo,  Webster  county, 
this  state.  George  E.  Lingard  sul)se(|uently  made  his  way  to  the 
Pacific  coast  and  later  took  up  his  abode  in  Colorado,  w  here  he 
spent  about  eight  months  at  farming  and  railroading.  .After 
returning  home  he  was  engaged  for  some  time  in  digging  coal 
and  then  went  into  the  meat  business  in  association  with  Charles 
Wilson  at  Kalo.  A  short  time  afterward  he  was  married  and 
removed  to  the  state  of  Washington,  where  he  was  engaged  in  coal 
mining  for  about  one  year.  On  the  e.\i)iration  of  that  period  he 
returned  to  Kalo  and  embarked  in  the  butcher  and  grocery  !)usi- 
ness,  in  association  with  his  I)rotiier  William,  in  partncrshij)  with 
whom  he  has  since  conducted  est.iblishpu'nts  of  that  character  at 


146  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

both  Kalo  and  Otlio.  They  do  an  annual  business  amounting  to 
over  twenty-three  thousand  dollars  and  own  their  store  build- 
ings at  both  Kalo  and  Otho.  The  brothers  have  residence  prop- 
erty in  Fort  Dodge,  and  our  subject  ow'ns  an  attractive  home  in 
Kalo  and  he  and  his  brother  are  stockholders  in  the  Farmers  Ele- 
vator Company  of  that  place. 

On  the  24th  of  January,  1889,  Mr.  Lingard  was  joined  in  wed- 
lock to  Miss  Martha  Nelson,  a  daughter  of  Moi¥it  and  Margaret 
(Johnson)  Nelson,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Scotland.  The 
father  emigrated  to  the  United  States  at  an  early  date,  first  locat- 
ing in  Kentucky  and  later  coming  to  Kalo.  A\'ebster  county,  Iowa, 
where  both  he  and  his  wife  still  reside.  Mr.  Nelson  was  engaged 
in  mining  during  his  acti\e  business  career.  To  Mr.  and -Mrs. 
Lingard  have  been  born  four  children,  Harley,  Myrtle,  Merritt 
and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

At  the  polls  George  E.  Lingard  supports  the  men  and  meas- 
ures of  the  republican  party.  He  has  served  as  school  director 
and  has  also  acted  in  the  capacity  of  constable.  His  fraternal 
relations  are  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  the 
Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  the  Foresters,  the  Eagles  and 
the  Knights  of  Pythias,  while  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by 
his  membership  in  the  Congregational  church.  He  has  gained  the 
esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  into  contact  because  of  his 
upright  and  honorable  principles  and  also  by  reason  of  the 
straightforward  methods  he  e\er  follows. 


PETER  MALLINGER. 


Agricultural  pursuits  always  engaged  the  attention  of  Peter 
Mallinger  until  1907,  when  he  removed  to  Duncombe,  identify- 
ing himself  with  its  connnercial  activities.  In  the  development  of 
his  various  business  interests  he  has  manifested  as  marked  effi- 
ciency and  capability  as  he  evidenced  in  his  farming  pursuits, 
and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  foremost  business  men  of  the 
town.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Barnech)  Mallinger,  na- 
tives of  Germany,  and  was  born  in  Fort  Washington.  Wisconsin, 
in  October,  1866.  John  Mallinger  was  only  eighteen  months  of 
age  when  brought  to  the  United  States  by  his  parents,  who 
located  in  Wisconsin.     There  he  was  reared  and  educated,  sub- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  147 

sequently  turning  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  For  sev- 
eral years  he  owned  and  operated  a  farm  in  Wisconsin,  but  in 
1875  he  sold  it  and  coming  to  A\'ebster  county  invested  the  pro- 
ceeds in  a  place  in  Colfax  townsliip.  Here  he  continued  farming 
with  such  success  that  he  became  one  of  the  extensive  property 
holders  of  his  community,  owning  at  one  time  five  hundred  acres 
of  land.  He  devoted  himself  to  the  further  improvement  and 
cultivation  of  his  place  until  1904,  when  he  withdrew  from  active 
work  and  remo\-ed  to  Dunconilie.  Here  he  is  now  li\ing  retired 
at  the  age  of  seventy  years,  while  the  mother  is  sixty-six. 

As  he  was  a  lad  of  nine  years  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
on  their  removal  to  Iowa,  the  education  of  Peter  Mallinger  was 
begun  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state  and  completed 
in  those  of  Webster  county.  His  agricultural  training,  like  that 
of  the  average  country  youth,  was  begun  in  childhood,  his  duties 
being  increased  from  year  to  year  as  his  strength  and  sense  of 
responsibility  developed.  By  the  time  he  had  attained  his  ma- 
turity he  was  thoroughly  familiar  with  the  practical  methods 
of  tilling  the  fields  and  caring  for  the  crops  and  soon  thereafter 
began  operating  a  farm  of  his  own  of  a  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
in  Colfax  township.  The  excellent  training  he  had  received  under 
his  father,  united  with  his  diligence  and  determrnation  of  ])ur- 
pose  readily  enabled  him  to  win  success.  Not  onl\-  was  he  able 
to  further  improve  his  original  holding  but  he  kept  adding  to  his 
tract  until  he  owned  three  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  General 
farming  and  stock-raising  engaged  Mr.  Mallinger's  entire  atten- 
tion until  KJ07.  when  he  rented  his  place  and  removed  to  1  )ini- 
combe.  The  ne.xt  year  he  became  associated  with  six  others  in 
the  organization  of  the  Duncombe  Cement  Tile  Company,  of 
which  he  has  ever  since  been  the  manager.  In  1910,  together 
with  P.  T.  P'lynn  and  James  Toohey,  he  went  into  the  automobile 
business,  having  the  local  agency  of  both  the  ]"ord  and  Case  cars. 
This  proved  to  be  a  very  lucrative  venture  and  the  next  year  they 
built  a  fireproof  garage  thirty-seven  by  seventy  feet.  This  firm 
also  operates  a  garage  at  Fort  Dotlge,  where  they  have  extensive 
property  interests.  When  the  Farmers  Savings  H.-mk  was  or- 
ganized in  October.  191  t.  Mr.  Mallinger  still  finther  strength- 
ened his  connection  with  local  business  interests  by  accepting  the 
presidency  of  this  enterprise,  and  here  as  elsewhere  has  given 
efficient  service.  He  owns  one  of  the  best  residences  in  the  town 
and  two  blocks  of  residence  lots. 


148  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1893,  Mr.  MaUinger  was  married  to 
Miss  Margaret  Wagner,  a  daughter  of  Bernard  and  Mary  (Fid- 
dler) Wagner,  natives  of  Germany.  Of  this  marriage  tliere  have 
been  born  six  children  :  William,  who  is  fifteen  years  of  age ;  Cath- 
erine, who  is  six;  Joseph,  who  has  passed  his  third  birthday;  John, 
who  died  in  1895  ^t  the  age  of  one  year;  Matthew,  who  died  when 
five  weeks  old  in  1895;  and  Peter,  who  died  in  1897. 

The  parents  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church 
and  fraternally  Mr.  Mallinger  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Co- 
lumbus. He  is  a  democrat  in  politics  and  is  a  member  of  the  town 
council,  while  for  four  years  he  was  assessor  of  Colfa.x  township. 
Mr.  Mallinger  is  a  man  of  more  than  average  diligence  and  busi- 
ness sagacity,  as  he  has  evidenced  in  his  career,  and  is  meet- 
ing with  the  prosperity  invariably  won  through  the  intelligent 
exercise  of  these  qualities. 


LORENZO  S.  COFFIN. 


Iowa  has  furnished  her  full  quota  of  eminent  men  to  the  nation, 
men  of  pronounced  ability  who  have  become  leaders  in  statescraft, 
in  commercial,  industrial  and  professional  life,  and  others,  whose  in- 
fluence has  been  given  for  the  amelioration  of  conditions  that  in  any 
way  oppose  or  hinder  the  development  of  their  fellowmen.  Quiet  and 
unostentatious  in  manner,  seeking  not  self-aggrandizement  in  any 
direction,  Lorenzo  S.  Coffin  has  liecome  known  as  one  of  the  most 
honored  sons  of  the  Hawkeye  state,  not  because  he  has  won  distinc- 
tion in  politics,  or  even  because  he  has  attained  exceptional  success 
in  business,  but  because  his  efforts  ha\e  been,  and  are  still,  unsel- 
fishly given  for  the  benefit  of  his  fellowmen.  Recognizing  the  law  of 
universal  brotherhood,  his  sympathetic  spirit  has  prompted  action,  that, 
guided  by  sound  practical  judgment,  has  resulted  in  great  good.  He 
has  long  since  passed  the  Psalmist's  span  of  three  score  years  and  ten, 
the  snows  of  eighty-nine  winters  having  fallen  upon  his  head,  but  old 
age  is  not  necessarily  a  synonym  of  weakness  and  it  need  not  suggest 
as  a  matter  of  course  inactixity  or  helplessness.  There  is  an  old  age 
which  is  a  benediction  to  all  with  whom  it  comes  in  contact;  that  gives 
out  of  its  riches  stores  of  wisdom  and  experience  and  grows  stronger 
mentally  and  spiritually  as  the  days  pass.     Such  is  it  with  Lorenzo  S. 


t'. 


HISTORY  Ol-  WEBSTER  COUNTY  151 

Coffin,  whose  career  is  a  source  of  encouragement  to  his  contem- 
poraries and  an  abiding  lesson  to  the  young. 

In  pioneer  days  of  Webster  county  Mr.  Coffin  took  up  his  abode 
within  her  borders.  He  was  born  in  .\hon,  Xew  Hampshire,  April 
9,  1823,  on  the  farm  which  was  also  the  birthplace  of  his  father, 
Stephen  Coffin.  The  family  is  of  English  lineage,  and  at  an  early 
epoch  in  American  development  was  founded  in  Massachusetts,  whence 
the  grandfather  of  our  subject  removed  to  the  Granite  state,  .settling 
on  the  farm  on  which  both  Stephen  and  Lorenzo  Coffin  were  l)i)rn. 
There  he  spent  his  remaining  days,  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits. 
His  death  occurred  when  he  was  about  seventy-five  years  of  age. 
In  his  family  were  nine  children,  all  of  whom  reached  mature  years 
and  reared  families  of  their  own. 

Stephen  Coffin  was  trained  to  the  work  of  the  home  farm  and  for 
many  years  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  in  Xew  Hampshire.  He 
was  also  a  clergyman  of  the  Baptist  church  and  his  intluence  was 
widely  felt  in  behalf  of  Christianity.  He  died  in  Dover,  New  Hamp- 
shire, when  about  seventy-five  years  of  age.  His  wife  bore  the  maiden 
name  of  Deborah' Philbrook  and  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-eight.  She 
was  a  native  of  Sanbornton,  New  Hampshire,  representing  an  early 
family  of  sturdy  pioneers.  Her  father,  David  Philbrook,  was  born 
at  Hampton  Beach,  New  Hampshire,  and  spent  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  on  the  farm  at  Sanbornton.  He  lived  to  the  advanced  age  of  more 
than  ninety  years — a  noble  Christian  man  who  commanded  the  re- 
spect of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  had  eight  sons  and 
eight  daughters,  all  of  whom  reached  mature  years,  and  to  each  he 
gave  good  educational  privileges,  thus  fitting  them  for  life's  prac- 
tical duties.  In  the  family  of  Stephen  and  Deborah  (Philbrook) 
Coffin  were  three  daughters  and  a  son.  Catherine  P.  Coffin  was  a 
teacher  in  the  seminary  in  Charleston,  Massachusetts.  She  married 
Benjamin  Stanton  and  both  engaged  in  educational  work  for  several 
years  at  Union  College,  Schnectady.  New  York.  Christiana  liecame 
the  wife  of  Rev.  D.  B.  Cowell,  of  Maine.  She  possessed  considerable 
poetical  talent  and  was  a  writer  for  many  magazines  and  papers.  Her 
death  occurred  in  1863.  Sarah,  who  was  the  wife  of  Mr.  Lynde,  died 
when  about  sixty  years  of  age. 

Upon  his  father's  farm  Lorenzo  S.  Coffin  s])ent  his  youth  and  early 
became  familiar  with  the  labor  of  field  and  meadow.  His  educa- 
tional advantages  at  the  time  were  meager,  but  later  the  family  re- 
moved to  Wolfboro,  New  Hamp.shirc.  where  he  became  a  student  in 
the  Wolfboro  Academy.     He  lost  his  mother  when  fourteen  years  of 


152  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

age  but  continued  at  home  until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  when  he 
began  working  as  a  farm  hand  in  the  home  neighborhood,  and  thus 
he  acquired  a  sum  sufficient  to  enable  him  to  continue  his  education 
and  prepare  for  teaching,  a  profession  which  he  followed  with  suc- 
cess for  some  time.  Oberlin  College,  of  Oberlin,  Ohio,  was  then  one 
of  the  most  popular  schools  of  the  country  and  he  went  there  with  the 
intention  of  pursuing  an  extended  course  of  study,  but  remained  only 
a  year  and  a  half  in  the  preparatory  department  of  the  college. 

In  the  meantime  Mr.  Coffin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Cynthia 
T.  Curtis,  and  they  went  to  Geauga  county,  Ohio,  where  both  engaged 
in  teaching  in  the  Geauga  Seminary.    Among  their  pupils  were  James 
A.  Garfield  and  Lucretia  Rudolph,  his  future  wife,  who  first  met  in 
that  school.     The  failing  health  of  Mrs.  Coffin  obliged  them  to  give 
up  teaching  after  one  year's  connection  with  Geauga  Seminary,  and 
in  the  winter  of  1854-5  Mr.  Coffin  came  to  Iowa  on  a  business  trip. 
Being  pleased  with  Webster  county  and  the  advantages  oft'ered  and 
with  firm  faith  in  its  future  he  resolved  to  locate  here.    He  secured  a 
claim  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  he  entered  when  the 
government  placed  the  land  on  the  market,  and  thus  began  the  de- 
velopment of  his  fine  farm,  to  which  he  has  added  by  subsequent  pur- 
chases from  time  to  time  until  he  now  owns  seven  hundred  and  twenty 
acres.     The  experience  of  his  boyhood  and  early  manhood  upon  the 
farm  now  proved  very  valuable  to  him.     With  characteristic  energy 
he  began  the  development  of  his  land,  and  Willow  Edge  Farm  is  now- 
one  of  the  most  desirable  and  valuable  farming  properties  in  the  state, 
supplied  with  all  modern  improvements  and  accessories.    On  the  brow 
of  the  hill  about  three  miles  from  Fort  Dodge,  near  which  he  decided 
to  erect  his  buildings,  is  a  large  spring  of  purest  water,  flowing  con- 
tinually,  while  other  springs  upon  the  place   feed  the  stream,   the 
Lizzard,  which  winds  its  way,  bordered  by  magnificent  forest  trees, 
through  the  farm.     Mr.  Coffin  has  made  a  specialty  of  the  breeding 
and  raising  of  fine  stock,  and  now  owns  one  of  the  largest  and  choicest 
herds  of  shorthorn  cattle  to  be  found  in  the  west,  keeping  from  one 
hundred  to  two  hundred  head.    He  also  breeds  for  the  market  Poland 
China  hogs  and  Oxford  Down  sheep,  generally  keeping  one  hundred 
and  fifty  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  or  more  of  the  latter.    From  two 
to  five  men  are  employed  upon  the  farm  and  the  work  is  under  the 
immediate  supervision  of  J.  I.  Rutledge,  son-in-law  of  Mr.  Coffin, 
who  is  a  joint-owner  in  the  stock  on  the  farm.     Modern  machinery, 
practical  and  improved  methods  and  all  conveniences  and  accessories 
for  facilitating  the  work  are  here  found. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  153 

Not  long  after  coming  to  this  home  Mr.  Coffin  was  called  upon 
to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  died  April  20,  1856.  In  February, 
1857,  he  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  ^liss  Mary 
Chase,  of  Orleans  county.  New  York.  Three  children  were  born 
unto  them,  but  only  one  is  living,  Carrie  C,  the  wife  of  J.  I.  Rutledge. 
One  child  died  in  infancy  and  Kitty  May  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years. 

While  successfully  conducting  his  private  business  affairs,  Mr.  Coffin 
never  confines  his  efforts  selfishly  to  his  work.  From  1859  to  1876  he 
used  to  leave  his  home  Sunday  mornings  very  early  and  on  horseback 
would  ride  to  different  parts  of  the  country,  where  no  minister  was 
sent,  and  preach  the  Gospel.  He  would  often  ride  forty  miles  and  in 
return  never  received  a  dollar  in  pay,  doing  it  all  for  the  benefit  of  his 
fellowmen,  during  which  time  he  also  conducted  a  great  many  funerals. 
In  the  early  days  he  was  the  editor  of  the  agricultural  department  of 
the  Fort  Dodge  Messenger  and  many  have  profited  by  his  practical 
wisdom  as  set  forth  in  the  columns  of  that  paper.  For  many  years 
he  was  also  an  active  member  of  the  State  Agricultural  Society  and 
labored  earnestly  and  effectively  in  connection  with  that  organization 
to  promote  the  interests  of  the  farming  people  throughout  the  state, 
but  while  his  interest  in  the  subject  has  never  abated,  other  duties 
have  made  heavy  demands  upon  his  time,  forcing  him  to  cease  his 
work  in  that  field  to  attend  to  more  pressing  needs.  He  had  in  the 
meantime  sensed  his  country  loyally  in  the  Civil  war,  enlisting  in  the 
fall  of  1862  as  a  member  of  Company  I,  Thirty-second  Iowa  Infantry. 
He  joined  the  army  as  a  private,  but  was  promoted  in  turn  sergeant, 
quartermaster  sergeant  and  chaplain.  F'or  about  a  year  lie  remained 
at  the  front  and  then  returned  to  his  home. 

Perhaps  the  work  which  has  made  Mr.  Cofifin  most  widely  known 
and  which  has  been  of  the  broadest  benefit  to  his  fellowmen  is  that 
in  connection  with  providing  better  conditions  for  railroad  employes. 
In  the  year  1883  he  was  appointed  by  Governor  Sherman  to  fill  a 
vacancy  on  the  railroad  commission,  caused  by  the  retirement  of  the 
Hon.  James  Wilson,  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  term  in  1885  was 
reappointed,  continuing  in  the  office  until  1888.  It  was  during  this 
period  that  Mr.  Coffin  became  interested  in  that  which  he  is  making 
his  life  work — promoting  the  happiness  and  improving  the  condition 
of  railroad  men.  In  speaking  of  his  experience  he  says  :  "It  seems,  as 
I  look  back  through  the  years  of  my  past  life,  that  I  can  sec  the  guid- 
ing of  a  Divine  Providence  bringing  me  to  the  position  wiiere  I  might 
realize  the  condition  of  the  great  multitude  of  suffering,  helpless  men, 


154  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

the  misery  of  whose  condition  seemed  to  be  growing  worse  every  day, 
with  no  indication  or  hope  of  its  growing  better,  and  as  I  occupied  the 
position  of  railroad  commissioner,  receiving  reports  continually  from 
all  over  the  state  and  the  United  States  of  the  terrible  slaughter  and 
crippling  of  railroad  men,  I  then  for  the  first  time  saw  the  need  for 
work  in  this  field  and  detemiined  by  the  help  of  God  to  do  something 
to  alleviate  the  suffering  of  those  men."  He  then  immediately  began 
to  investigate  more  fully  the  conditions  and  surroundings  of  the  rail- 
road men  of  the  country  and  to  agitate  the  subject  of  the  power  brake 
and  automatic  car  coupler,  and  finally  Succeeded  in  securing  the  enact- 
ment of  the  law  requiring  them  to  be  placed  on  all  cars  on  lines  in 
Iowa,  which  was  passed  by  the  Iowa  s'tate  legislature  in  1888.  This 
was  the  first  practical  law  ever  enacted  by  any  state  for  the  safety 
of  railroad  men.  The  law  was  strongly  opposed  by  the  railroad  com- 
panies. Railroad  managers  said  its  enforcement  would  cost  them 
millions  of  dollars  annually  and  would  do  little,  if  anything,  toward 
lessening  the  likelihood  of  accident.  Through  the  efforts  of  Mr. 
Coffin  and  the  cooperation  of  societies  of  railroad  employes  and  of 
private  citizens  to  whom  the  record  of  railroad  accidents  was  appall- 
ing, the  law  was  linally  passed,  with  the  result  that  the  number  of 
accidents  on  railroads,  caused  simply  in  the  coupling  of  cars  alone, 
has  been  reduced  three-fourths. 

To  the  compiler  of  this  sketch  Air.  Coffin  said:  "To  Iowa  must 
be  given  the  honor  of  enacting  into  law  the  first  practical  bill  ever 
presented  to  any  legislature  for  the  safety  of  life  and  limb  of  rail- 
road men."  It  was  drafted  by  Mr.  Coffin  and  he  says  that  he  spent  a 
full  month  on  the  bill.  So  anxious  was  he  that  the  bill  should  be  so 
drawn  that  no  court  could  set  it  aside  as  unconstitutional,  that  he 
consulted  with  one  of  the  judges  of  the  Iowa  supreme  court  on  every 
section  of  it.  Mr.  Coffin  has  the  great  satisfaction  of  knowing  that 
from  the  day  it  became  a  law  its  constitutionality  has  never  been 
questioned.  He  says  that  it  went  through  the  Iowa  legislature  with 
practically  a  unanimous  vote,  not  a  vote  against  it  in  the  senate  and 
only  three  or  four  against  it  in  the  house.  The  roads  were  given 
five  years  to  do  the  work  of  equipping  their  cars  with  the  safety  ap- 
pliances that  the  law  required.  But  here  came  a  great  dilemma — 
all  of  the  Iowa  roads  were  interstate  roads  and  engaged  in  the  inter- 
state traffic.  Foreign  cars  from  outside  roads  would,  of  course,  have 
to  be  equipped  in  the  same  manner  as  the  cars  of  the  Iowa  roads  or 
they  could  not  receive  them,  or  else  the  lading  must  all  be  transferred 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  155 

from  these  foreign  cars  to  the  Iowa  cars.     Here  was  a  very  serious 
problem  to  be  faced. 

Mr.  Coffin  said :  "The  only  way  to  solve  that  problem  that  showed 
itself  to  me  was  through  a  way  so  strewn  with  \ast  difficulties  that 
it  was  absolutely  appalling  and  I  dared  not  face  it  for  awhile.  Yet 
it  seemed  to  me  it  must  be  done.  Some,  of  the  states  adjoining  Iowa 
copied  my  bill  and  made  it  into  a  law.  If  only  all  the  states  would 
do  the  same  and  not  change  a  section  it  woukl  be  just  the  thing,  but 
I  could  not  expect  that,  and  it  would  take  a  long  while  to  go  from 
one  state  to  another  to  get  them  to  pass  the  same  kind  of  a  law.  The 
more  I  thought  of  it,  I  made  up  my  mind  that  it  would  be  a  practical 
impossibility,  and  so  the  alternative  was  forced  on  me  that  a  national 
law  must  be  had.  Of  course  this  meant  that  I  must  go  to  Washington 
and  try  to  get  a  bill  through  congress.  This  seemed  so  utterly  beyond 
all  possibility  for  a  man  like  me  to  accomplish  that  for  a  while  I 
thought  that  I  would  not  undertake  it,  but  I  could  not  rest.  In  my 
dreams  I  would  see  these  railroad  men  crushed  between  the  ends  of  the 
cars,  hear  their  aw  ful  screams  as  the  iron  wheels  ground  them  to  pieces 
untler  the  cars.  Finally  I  thought  that  I  must  try,  or  at  least  that  I 
would  go  to  Chicago  and  talk  with  some  of  the  railroad  officials  there 
and  ask  their  advice.  I  felt  sure  that  the  companies  that  ran  roads 
ihniugh  Iiiwa  would  like  lo  ha\e  all  i  ithcr  roads  to  equip  their  cars 
as  theirs  were  to  he,  so  there  would  lie  an  easy  iiucrchange  of  cars 
from  one  road  to  another.  I  thought  that  would  help  in  this  great 
move.  To  show  how  hopeless  the  undertaking  was  in  their  judgment 
I  will  relate  what  was  said  in  my  talk  with  Marvin  Ilughitt,  president 
of  the  Chicago  &  Xorthwestern  Railway.  \\'hen  I  went  into  his  office 
he  was  busy  examining  some  papers,  and  alter  a  little  while  he  said 
in  rather  a  sharp  and  vexed  tone:  'Xow,  Mr.  Coffin,  as  you  have 
got  your  state  to  enact  that  law,  I  want  that  you  siiould  go  to  every 
state  adjoining  Iowa  and  get  them  to  enact  such  a  law  as  Iowa  has.' 
I  said  that  I  realized  the  great  importance  of  a  uniform  law  and  could 
see  no  way  to  secure  it  only  through  congress,  ami  that  I  had  aljout 
made  up  my  mind  to  go  down  to  Washington  and  get  it  to  pass  my 
bill.  Mr.  Hughitt  dropped  the  papers  he  had  in  liis  hand  on  the  table 
before  him  and  looked  at  me  with  great  amazement  and  said:  'Mr. 
Coffin,  congress  is  a  great  body:  you  can't  move  that.'  My  after-ex- 
perience showed  me  how  well  that  man  judged  of  what,  as  he  well 
thought,  a  wild  undertaking,  and  how  well  he  understood  and  ap- 
preciated the  difficulties  I  would  have  to  encounter. 


156  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUXTY 

"In  the  spring  of  1888  the  interstate  commerce  commission,  then 
just  organized,  invited  what  state  railroad  commissioners  were  then 
created,  to  come  to  Washington  and  hold  a  conference.  That  noted 
jurist,  Judge  Cooley,  of  Michigan,  was  president  of  the  national  com- 
mission. Although  my  term  of  office  had  expired  a  few  weeks  before 
the  date  of  that  conference,  our  state  commission  urged  me  to  attend 
that  meeting.  I  did  so,  and  near  the  close  of  the  last  session  of  that 
meeting,  by  the  request  of  a  member  of  the  Iowa  board,  I  was  asked 
by  Judge  Cooley  to  address  the  conference.  This  I,  of  course  did, 
giving  them  the  mass  of  statistics  I  had  been  compiling,  which  was 
new  to  them  all.  After  I  had  sat  down  commissioners  from  other 
states  gathered  around  me  and  said:  'Mr.  Coffin,  you  must  be  wrong, 
for  we  can't  think  that  it  is  possible  that  there  is  such  a  fearful  killing 
and  maiming  of  our  railroad  men.'  I  assured  them  that  they  were 
absolutely  correct,  as  far  as  Iowa  was  concerned,  for  they  were  from 
the  reports  of  the  roads  themselves  to  our  state  board,  as  our  law 
required  them  to  report  to  us  everj^  accident  to  their  men. 

"As  but  \ery  few  of  the  states  had  as  yet  required  the  roads  to 
report  as  ours  did,  I  had  to  get  the  number  of  killed  and  injured  in 
other  states  b\'  the  rule  of  three.  If  Iowa,  with  so  many  miles  of 
road,  had  so  many  accidents  to  their  men,  how  many  will  all  the  miles 
in  the  nation  give  us?  Afterward,  from  a  talk  with  an  old  railroad 
man.  I  found  that  my  basis  of  calculation  was  wrong,  for  I  should 
have  taken  it  by  the  number  of  engines,  for  on  most  all  cif  the  roads 
east  there  would  be  a  great  many  more  trains  a  day  than  in  the  then 
sparsely  settled  Iowa.  When  I  made  my  computations  on  this  basis 
the  total  was  so  awful  that  I  did  not  dare  to  give  the  e.xact  figures  to 
the  public.  Aftenvard  Judge  Cooley  wrote  me  to  give  to  his  national 
commission  what  facts  and  figures  I  had  gathered  up  and  what  other 
infomiation  I  had  gained  on  this  matter  in  my  fi\e  years  of  experience 
as  a  commissioner.  I  am  telling  all  this  to  you,  sir,  that  you  may 
see,  as  I  do,  the  wonderful  way  I  was  led  on  so  as  to  have  more  and 
more  of  the  standing  before  the  public  and  the  jxjwers  that  then  were. 
Let  it  be  understood  all  along  that  I  now  realized  that  I  was  only  an 
instrument  in  the  hand  of  God  and  the  Father,  to  be  used  by  Him  for 
a  great  good  to  the  great  army  of  railroad  men  who  are  now  an  abso- 
lute necessity  to  the  prosperity  of  this  great  country.  The  information 
I  sent  to  Judge  Cooley  was  by  the  request  of  General  Benjamin 
Harrison,  then  president-elect  of  the  United  States,  sent  to  him,  and 
used  by  him  in  his  inaugural  when  he  was  sworn  into  his  high  office. 
He  did  it  in  these  words :    'It  is  a  disgrace  to  our  civilization  that  men 


HISTORY  OF  WKHSTI-.R  LOL'XTV  157 

ill  a  law  fill  employment  for  a  livelihood  should  be  exposed  to  greater 
danger  than  soldiers  in  the  time  of  actual  war."  He  very  strongly 
recommended  speedy  action  by  congress.  So  you  see  how  in  this 
unthought  of  and  unpremeditated  way  a  mighty  opening  was  made 
for  me.  Then  1  had  two  especially  strong  and  influential  friends,  one 
in  each  house  of  congress.  One  was  W.  B.  Allison  in  the  senate,  and 
Colonel  David  B.  Henderson  in  the  house,  now  its  speaker.  Here 
again  was  another  of  the  series  of  special  pnnidences  that  show  so 
plainly  all  along  the  road,  but  of  which  1  was  not  aware  then,  but 
now  can  see  as  clearly  as  the  noonday  sun.  Some  years  before  at 
one  of  the  congressional  elections  it  was  a  question  whether  Colonel 
Henderson  would  be  returned,  as  he  at  that  time  had  a  very  strong 
^competitor,  and  I  sujipose  that  it  is  no  egotism  in  me  to  say  what  was 
then  pretty  well  understood  to  be  the  fact,  that  my  influence  with  the 
railroad  boys  and  w  ith  the  farmers  of  his  district  had  much  to  do  with 
saving  him.  This  had  made  him  a  firm  friend,  and  he  w-as  ready  to  aid 
me  all  in  his  power,  which  was  great,  and  he  wielded  it  to  good  ad- 
vantage for  the  bill.  Well,  the  4th  of  March  was  coming  on.  I  had 
been  working  on  the  bill  for  congress  with  a  great  deal  of  care  and 
labor.  I  lia:d  been  very  an.xious  before  the  inauguration  to  have  Mr. 
Harrison  say  a  word  for  the  boys  in  his  address.  I  wanted  td  know 
how  he  felt,  but  ne\er  lia\ing  met  him.  and  there  being  such  a  throng 
around  him,  1  could  see  no  way  to  get  to  him  to  ask  him  to  remember 
the  boys.  Finally,  Colonel  Henderson  gave  me  a  letter  to  him,  and  so 
I  had  a  chance  to  speak  to  him.  His  first  words  after  reading  the 
letter  were,  "Well,  what  is  it?'  In  as  few  wurds  as  I  could  I  told  what 
I  wanted,  hi  an  instant  he  replied.  'It  is  in  there.'  meaning  in  his 
address,  and  those  were  his  last  words  to  me.  I  grasped  his  hand, 
thanked  him  with  tears  in  my  eyes  and  left. 

"Congress  convened.  My  bills  were  introduced  and  referred  to 
the  committee  on  interstate  commerce.  F'or  four  long  years  I  was  in 
what  was  called  the  third  house  of  congress,  "the  lobby.'  It  is  not 
necessary  for  me  to  try  to  tell  you  of  the  long  struggle.  It  would 
fill  a  book.  I  fully  realized  that  public  opinion  had  much  to  do  with 
acts  of  congress,  so  wherever  I  heard  of  a  great  gathering  of  influ- 
ential men,  such  as  great  gatherings  of  church  officials  of  every  de- 
nomination, there  I  would  go  and  get  a  few  moments  time  to  plead 
for  the  lives  and  limbs  of  the  railroad  boys  and  for  Sunday  rest  as 
well,  getting  them  to  pass  strong  resolutions  which  I  had  usually 
already  prepared.  And  so  I  worked.  The  first  congress  of  Harrison's 
administration  closed  without  my  being  able  to  get  the  bills  out  of  the 


158  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

committee's  hands.  They  were  introduced  again  at  the  opening  of 
his  last  congress,  and  from  that  time  on  the  railroads  were  there  in 
force  fighting  the  bill.  They  told  the  committee  that  it  would  cost 
the  roads  one  hundred  million  dollars  to  meet  the  requirements  of 
that  hill.  But  God  loved  these  trainmen  more  than  He  did  the  millions 
of  the  corporations,  and  the  bill  went  through  and  President  Harrison 
signed  it  and  made  it  a  law  two  days  before  he  left  his  high  office,  on 
the  2d  of  ]\Iarch,  1893.  The  law  gave  the  roads  five  years  to  equip 
their  cars  as  the  law  directed,  but  near  the  close  of  the  fifth  year  the 
roads  came  before  the  interestate  commerce  commission  and  pleaded 
for  five  vears  more,  but  the  five  railroad  brotherhoods  with  myself  were 
there  in  opposition,  and  they  got  only  two  years  and  then  seven  months 
after  that.  As  the  result  of  that  law  there  are  at  least  fifteen  hundred 
less  deaths  and  over  five  thousand  less  painful  accidents  per  year  than 
when  President  Harrison  signed  that  bill.  So  beneficial  is  this  law- 
found  to  be  in  an  economical  sense,  to  say  nothing  of  the  saving 
of  life  and  limb,  that  the  very  officials  that  then  called  me  a  crank 
and  alnised  me  so  unmercifully,  now  take  me  by  the  hand  and  thank 
nie  for  what  they  then  cursed  me  for.  Yet  it  never  seems  to  me 
that  I  have  done  anything  but  what  was  my  plain  duty  to  do  after 
the  awful  facts  came  to  my  knowledge.  I  never  could  have  respected 
myself  if  I  had  refused  to  try,  frightened  at  the  lions  I  really  saw  in 
the  way.     So  then  let  the  praise  go  where  it  belongs,  to  God." 

Mr.  Coffin  certainly  deserves  the  unbounded  gratitude  of  all  rail- 
road men  throughout  the  country,  by  securing  the  enactment  of  the 
national  law  which  was  passed  by  congress  March  2.  1893.  When 
President  Harrison  signed  the  "safety  appliance  bill"'  the  interstate 
commerce  commission  rei)orts  show  that  there  were  twenty-seven  hun- 
dred and  thirty-seven  railroad  men  killed  that  year  and  over  thirty- 
three  thousand  injured,  some  being  badly  crippled  for  life.  After  the 
cars  were  equipped  as  the  law  directs,  the  commission  reports  that  the 
effect  of  that  law  Jiad  reduced  the  casualties  to  railroad  men  over 
sixty-five  per  cent,  notwithstanding  that  had  been  a  dull  \ear  for  the 
railroads  and  far  less  men  were  employed  than  in  other  years:  so 
that  it  is  perfectly  safe  to  say  that  two  thousand  were  and  ha\e  l)een 
saved  and  over  twenty  thousand  painful  accidents  ha\e  been  pre- 
vented yearly  since  1900. 

That  Mr.  Coffin's  efforts  along  this  line  have  received  well  deserved 
recognition  from  men  of  ability  and  weight  who  are  capable  of  ap- 
preciating their  true  value  may  be  plainly  seen  by  this  statement  in  a 
letter  written  by  Rev.   William   Salter,  D.  D.     "When   I   read   Mr. 


HISTORY  Ol'-  \VEI5STER  COUNTY  159 

Coffin's  article  a  thrill  of  pleasure  and  state  pride  ran  through  me 
that  Iowa  had  a  man  of  such  divine  humanity  and  of  so  much  patience, 
skill  antl  tact  to  do  such  good  work  and  to  tell  the  story  in  the  sim|)le 
and  direct  style  of  Ben  F"ranklin"s  autobiography.  It  ought  to  have  a 
wide  circulation."'  Mr.  Salter  also  wrote  Mr.  Coffin  personally  to 
express  his  appreciation  of  the  splendid  work  accomplished.  In  a 
letter  dated  January  i8,  1903,  he  says:  "I  have  just  read  your  de- 
lightful paper  in  The  .\nnals  for  this  month  and  heg  to  send  you  my 
hearty  thanks  and  a  few  blessings  for  writing  it.  You  have  added  an 
additional  benefit  to  the  great  services  you  have  rendered  to  humanity 
by  giving  the  history  of  your  labors  for  'Safe  .Appliances  on  Rail- 
roads' in  so  clear  and  vigorous  a  style  and  with  such  admirable  sim- 
plicity and  straightforwardness.  Your  pajier  will  become  a  classic  in 
Iowa  literature  and  bring  honor  to  our  state  as  well  as  to  yourself 
that  its  author  is  an  Iowa  man.  It  will  encourage  other  good  minds 
in  the  future  to  labor  with  [latieuce  and  hope  like  your  own  for 
amelioration  aiul  ini])rovement  in  e\ery  department  of  industry  and 
commerce  and  trade.  With  sentiments  of  high  respect  and  warm 
esteem,  very  sincerely  yours,  William  Salter." 

Mr.  Coffin  has  done  more  than  any  other  in(li\idual  to  promote 
temperance  among  railroad  men  l>y  the  use  (jf  what  is  known  as  the 
"white  Initton."  He  has  bad  made  a  little  white  l)Ulton.  in  which 
are  the  initials  R.  R.  T.  A. — Railroad  Temperance  .\ssociation — and 
these  buttons  he  gives  to  all  railroad  employes  who  will  promise  to 
wear  one  and  abstain  from  the  use  of  liquor,  lie  has  i)aid  out  over 
five  thou.sand  dollars  alone  for  these  buttons,  having  distributed  more 
than  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  of  them,  and  is  still  engaged  in 
the  work,  always  having  a  supply  of  them  when  he  travels.  This 
conspicuous  little  button  is  a  constant  reminder  to  the  wearer  that  he 
has  given  his  word  to  abstain  from  the  use  of  those  beverages  which 
destroy  manhood  and  render  tiie  individual  unfitted  for  the  perform- 
ance of  life's  duties.  A  lasting  monument  to  the  work  of  Mr.  Coffin 
is  seen  in  the  home  for  the  disabled  and  infirm  railroad  men  at  High- 
land Park,  Illinois,  near  Chicago.  .\ll  brotherhood  railroad  men  are 
eligible  as  members,  the  only  requirement  being  that  they  contribute 
as  much  as  "the  expense  of  one  cigar  a  month. "  This  entitles  any 
brotherhood  man  in  railroad  employ,  in  case  of  accident  or  inability, 
to  a  good  home  for  life,  containing  all  necessities  and  comforts.  .\t 
this  time  the  work  is  progressing  nicely  under  the  guidance  of  Mr. 
Coffin  and  the  cooperation  of  the  four  railroad  brotherhoods,  the 
Brotherhood  of  Locomotive  Engineers,  the  Brotherhood  of  Locomotive 


160  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUxNTY 

Firemen,  the  Brotherhood  of  Railroad  Trainmen  and  the  Order  of 
Railway  Conductors.  These  four  orders  have  contributed  to  the  home 
and  at  the  present  time  they  are  planning  an  eighty  thousand  dollar 
fire-proof  building  as  an  addition  to  the  present  home.  There  are  now 
between  sixty-five  and  seventy-five  inmates.  Mr.  Coffin  is  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Railroad  Employes"  Home,  and,  more  than  that,  he  is  the 
friend  of  all  railroad  men,  having  a  warm  personal  interest  in  their 
welfare.  The  home  is  now  complete  and  represents  an  expenditure  of 
about  one  hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars. 

Another  important  work  which  will  stand  as  a  monument  to  Mr. 
Coffin's  philanthropy  is  the  home  for  e.K-convicts  which  he  organized 
and  promoted  in  connection  with  other  leading  citizens  of  Fort  Dodge 
and  the  vicinity.  In  189 1  he  donated  twenty  acres  of  land  and  ten 
thousand  dollars  in  cash  for  the  building,  besides  devoting  a  great 
deal  of  his  time  to  the  work.  Upon  its  completion  it  was  one  of  the 
finest  structures  of  this  character  in  \\'ebster  county  and  it  continued 
as  a  convicts'  home  for  six  years,  when  the  Anamosa  penitentiary  was 
turned  into  a  reformatory  and  here  the  work  which  Mr.  Coffin  had 
begun  was  carried  on.  He,  therefore,  deeded  the  original  building  and 
twenty  acres  of  land  to  the  Woman's  Christian  Temperance  Union  of 
Iowa,  in  order  that  they  might  there  establish  the  Benedict  Home, 
which  was  formerly  located  at  Des  Moines.  At  tlie  present  time  there 
are  thirty  inmates  of  this  institution  and  since  its  foundation  it  nas 
cared  for  and  relieved  over  thirteen  hundred  girls,  all  of  whom  have 
benefited  by  the  worthy  and  useful  teachings  of  Mrs.  McClelland,  who 
is  the  superintendent  and  directs  the  work  of  a  number  of  assistants. 
In  the  last  few  years  Mr.  Coffin  has  given  much  of  his  time  and 
attention  to  the  promotion  of  a  work  in  which  he  has  always  been 
interested,  namely,  that  of  the  spreading  of  temperance  among  all 
classes,  but  esi>ecially  among  the  railroad  men.  In  the  promotion  of 
this  enterprise  he  has  spent  five  thousand  dollars  for  temperance  badges 
and  has  distributed  o\-cr  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  white  but- 
tons which  are  the  insignia  of  the  cause.  Mr.  Coffin  in  writing  of  the 
work  which  he  has  done  in  the  Railroad  Temperance  Association,  says : 
"It  is  not  yet  two  years  since  the  white  Ijutton  started  on  its  mission. 
Now  go  where  one  will  he  finds  it  worn  by  railroad  men  wherever 
a  locomoti\e  whistle  is  heard.  That  little  pledge  button  for  grander 
manhood,  pleads  for  happier  homes,  pleads  for  wife  and  children; 
has  been  heard  by  thousands  of  brave,  great-hearted  men,  who  have 
been  true  as  steel  to  its  meaning.  The  wearing  of  the  white  button  is 
the  practical  carrying  out  of  the  teachings  of  true  brotherhood  jirin- 


HISTORY  OF  WRr.STI-R  fOlXI^-  u;i 

ciples  as  taught  in  the  lodge  room.  Tliere  all  are  not  only  taught  but 
bind  thenisehes  under  solemn  obligation  to  care  for  the  wives  and 
children  of  each  brother.  Everyone  knows  that  the  greatest  enemy  to 
the  family  of  a  brother  railroad  man  is  the  sakion.  The  wearing  of 
the  white  button  by  brothers  who  never  go  inside  a  saloon  is  a  strong 
and  earnest  appeal  to  a  weak  brother  to  keep  out.  It  means  that  we 
are  defenders  of  home,  that  we  love  our  future,  our  wives  and  our 
children  more  than  we  do  a  saloon.  It  means  that  the  great  brother- 
hoods of  railroad  men  have  escaped  froni  the  saloon's  fascinating 
power." 

Mr.  Coffin  has  ever  been  a  friend  to  the  poor  and  needy,  lu  the 
oppressed  and  the  suffering,  and.  believing  that  the  spark  of  divinity 
is  in  e\ery  individual  and  may  be  fanned  into  flame,  he  is  ever  ready 
to  extend  a  helping  hand  to  those  in  need  of  either  material  or  moral 
assistance.  His  home  while  in  Ohio  was  a  station  on  the  famous 
underground  railroad  when  slavery  existed  in  the  land  and  his  strong 
abolition  principles  led  him  to  ally  himself  with  the  republican  party 
when  it  was  formed  to  prevent  the  further  extension  of  sla\ery.  I  U- 
has  since  been  one  of  its  stalwart  supporters. 

To  what  church  does  he  belong?  We  answer,  to  tlie  church  which 
Christ  founded  when  he  said,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach 
the  Gospel,"  when  he  gave  the  mandate,  "Bear  ye  one  another's  bur- 
dens," and  said,  "Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least 
of  these,  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me."  One  of  the  most 
interesting  features  of  the  Willow  Edge  Farm  is  its  chapel,  which  he 
built,  about  twelve  years  ago  for  the  benefit  of  his  daughter,  who  was 
greatly  interested  in  Sunday-school  w(5rk.  In  connection  with  the 
same  is  a  circulating  library  for  the  community.  Services  are  held 
Sunday  afternoons — held  in  the  afternoon  that  they  need  not  con- 
flict w  ith  the  morning  or  evening  services  of  the  city  ciiurches.  Pastors 
and  people  of  all  denominations  are  welcome,  and  the  gospel  of  Christ 
— forgiveness  and  love — is  preached.  Along  the  same  line  of  Chri.stian 
liberality  is  his  effective  work  in  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion, in  which  almost  each  Sunday  he  addresses  a  meeting  of  this 
organization. 

His  sympathies  took  the  practical  form  of  liberal  financial  sup- 
port, for  he  contributed  one  hundred  dollars  to  the  building  in  Mar- 
shalltown,  Iowa,  of  the  first  Railroad  Young  Men's  Christian  Associa- 
tion ever  erected  in  Iowa.  Mr.  Coffin  delivered  the  address  of  rledica- 
tion  and  has  since  been  actively  intercstcti  in  the  movement. 

4 


162  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUXTY 

In  business  he  has  achieved  splendid  success,  but  the  most  envious 
could  not  grudge  him  his  prosperity  so  worthily  has  it  been  won,  so 
well  used.  He  has  builded  to  himself  a  monument  more  lasting  than 
stone  in  the  freewill  offering  of  grateful  hearts. 

Who  can  measure  the  influence  of  such  a  life? 

"Our  echoes  roll  from  soul  to  soul 
And  grow  forever  and  forever." 


KXUTSOX  BROTHERS. 


.\dolph  and  Alfred  Knutson,  twin  brothers,  are  operating  one 
of  the  most  prosperous  business  enterprises  in  Badger,  being  engaged 
in  the  implement  and  automobile  business  with  which  they  have 
been  connected  for  the  past  seven  years.  This  is  only  one  of 
the  many  important  undertakings  with  which  they  have  become 
identified  in  the  course  of  fourteen  years  of  active  business  life, 
during  which  time  they  have  never  separated  their  interests,  work- 
hig  harmoniously  together  lo  their  mutual  advantage.  They 
were  born  in  Badger,  August  jH.  1877,  and  are  the  .sons  of 
Christopher  and  Anna  (Arent)  Knutson.  natives  of  X'orwav. 
The  brothers  were  reared  at  home  and  were  educated  in  the 
public  schools  of  Badger,  finishing  their  education  at  Tobin 
College  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  .\fter  coniiileting  their  studies 
they  engaged  in  farming  in  partnership,  operating  their  father's 
tract  of  land  for  five  years.  .\t  the  end  of  that  time  they 
sold  the  property  and  went  to  North  Dakota,  where  each  took  up  a 
homestead  claim,  wliich  they  still  own.  They  combined  their  prop- 
erties and  operated  the  enterprise  as  one  large  farm,  being  en- 
gaged at  the  same  time  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  land.  After 
two  years  they  returned  to  Badger  and  established  themselves 
in  the  implement  and  automobile  business,  with  \Yhich  they  have 
been  identified  for  the  past  seven  years  with  constantly  increasing 
success.  They  also  own  and  operate  a  cement  block  factorv  anrl 
own  the  building  in  which  they  are  doing  business  as  well  as  their 
own  home  in  the  residence  section  of  the  village.  They  also  own 
a  valuable  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Badger 
township.     They  have  been  in  all  the  business  relations  of  their 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  163 

lives  upright,  straightforward  and  honorable  and  these  qualities  dis- 
tinguish their  private  characters. 

Adolph  Knutsoii  was  married  in  October,  1909,  to  Miss  Cora 
Lund,  a  daughter  of  Rasmus  and  Anna  (Christenson)  Lund, 
natives  of  Norway.  Mrs.  Knutson's  father  came  to  America  with 
his  parents  at  an  early  date,  locating  in  Badger  township,  Webster 
county.  When  he  grew  to  manhood  he  became  identified  with  a 
local  railroad  and  later  went  to  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  where  he  fol- 
lowed the  same  line  of  occupation  for  twenty  years,  returning  at 
the  end  of  that  time  to  Badger,  where  he  purchased  land.  He 
operated  his  farm  for  several  years  and  only  abandoned  agriculture 
in  order  to  serve  as  sheriff,  which  office  he  still  holds,  .\dolph 
Knutson  and  his  wife  have  a  daughter.  Ruth  C.  who  is  a  year  and 
a  half  old. 

The  two  brothers  affiliate  with  the  republican  party  and  .\llred 
served  as  assessor  of  Badger  township  for  three  years  and  as  justice 
of  the  peace  for  two  years.  He  also  did  able  and  effective  work  as 
a  member  of  the  -town  council.  Both  brothers  are  stockholders  in- 
the  Fanners  Elevator  Company  and  in  the  Badger  Telephone  Com- 
pany, and  affiliate  with  the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men.  the  Modern 
W'oodmen  of  America  and  the  Loyal  Order  of  Moose,  being  also 
prominent  in  the  Masonic  order.  They  belong  to  the  Lutheran 
church.  Th^ir  relations  have  always  been  most  harmonious  and 
their  partnership  productive  of  good  results.  Both  are  active,  pro- 
gressive and  substantial  business  men  with  the  ability  to  make 
their  enterprises  successful.  They  do  not  neglect  tbcii"  duties 
as  citizens  and  though  they  are  only  thirty-five  years  of  age,  have 
gained  distinct  prosperity  which  promises  well  for  greater  future 
attainment. 


LOUIS  W.  NEWDECK. 


The  agricultural  and  stock-raising  interests  of  Webster  county 
found  an  able  and  successful  representative  in  the  late  Louis  W. 
Newdeck,  who  owned  and  operated  eight  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Douglas  townsiiii).  He  was  born  in  St.  .\ntliony, 
now  East  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  on  the  3d  of  May,  j8$j.  His 
parents  were  Louis  and  Catherine  (Wolf)  Newdeck.  natives  of 
Germany,  the  father's  birth  having  occurre<l  in   WurtcndicTg  on 


164  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Christmas  day,  1821,  and  that  of  the  mother  in  Westphalia,  on 
the  7th  of  December,  1826.  Louis  Newdeck  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  in  1842,  first  locating  in  Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania. 
Prom  there  he  went  to  Illinois,  where  he  engaged  in  the  cattle 
business,  following  which  he  conducted  a  dry-goods  store  in 
Stillwater,  Minnesota.  He  subsequently  became  identified  with 
the  lumber  interests  of  St.  Anthony,  that  state,  being  one  of  the 
pioneer  settlers  of  that  vicinity.  At  the  time  of  the  Indian  uprising 
in  1862,  he  joined  Anson  Xorthrup's  company  organized  among 
the  settlers,  remaining  in  the  service  until  the  natives  were  sub- 
dued and  peace  was  once  more  restored.  The  next  year  he 
crossed  the  plains  to  Helena,  Montana,  where  he  established  a 
cattle  ranch.  He  remained  there  until  the  spring  of  1864,  when 
he  returned  to  Minnesota,  but  he  later  went  back  to  the  west,  and 
was  killed  by  the  Indians  while  crossing  the  plains  with  a  load 
of  provisions  for  a  mining  camp  in  the  gold  fields  of  Idaho.  He 
was  long  survived  by  the  mother,  who  died  on  the  14th  of 
April,  1881. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Louis  W.  Newdeck  were  passed  in 
his  native  state,  his  education  being  obtained  in  the  public  schools 
of  Minneapolis.  He  was  a  promising  and  capable  youth,  and  in 
1870,  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years  began  his  business  career  in 
Duluth.  Minnesota,  where  he  owned  and  conducted  a  meat  market 
for  a  year.  .\t  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  went  to  Austin, 
Minnesota,  and  there  engaged  in  the  same  business  until  1872, 
when  he  removed  to  Red  \\ing,  Minnesota.  He  conducted  a  meat 
market  in  the  latter  place  for  nine  years  with  very  good  suc- 
cess, and  at  the  end  of  that  period  went  to  Minneapolis,  where 
he  engaged  extensively  in  the  meat  and  cattle  business  until 
T887.  In  the  latter  year  he  came  to  Webster  county  and  pur- 
chased eight  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  fertile  land  in  Douglas 
township.  The  remainder  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  agricultural 
pursuits  and  stock-raising  in  both  of  which  activities  hg  met  with 
more  than  an  average  degree  of  success.  He  bred  Polled  Angus 
cattle,  his  herd  numbering  two  hundred  head,  French  coach 
horses  and  Poland  China  hogs,  all  high-grade  stock.  He  was 
widely  known  throughout  this  part  of  the  state  as  a  stockman, 
and  had  one  of  the  best  developed  and  equipped  farms  in  the 
county.  He  was  a  tireless  worker,  possessed  more  than  average 
foresight  and  sagacity  in  recognizing  business  opportunities  and 
was  endowed  Avith  the  diligence  and  enterprise  that  enabled  him 


HISTORY  OF  WECSTKR  COUNTY  165 

to  successfully  develop  anything-  he  undertook.  From  early 
youth  he  led  a  life  of  marked  activity,  and  as  his  powers  were 
capably  organized  and  intelligently  directed  he  prospered  in  the 
promotion  of  his  interests. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  1878,  ]\Ir.  Xewdeck  was  married  to  Miss 
Clara  O.  Eames,  a  daughter  of  Captain  Obadiah  and  iMary  (Bige- 
low)  Eames.  The  father  was  born  in  1824  and  died  in  1881.  while 
the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  1837  and  her  death  in  1904.  Five 
children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Newdeck,  Winnie  E.,  Louis 
M..  Harry  W'.,  Mabel  C.  and  Gertrude  M. 

Mr.  Newdeck  was  prominently  connected  with  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  in  matters  of  religious  faith  he  was  a  Methodist, 
his  widow  and  children  also  being  identified  with  this  church. 
In  politics  he  was  a  stanch  democrat.  Mr.  Newdeck  was  one  of 
the  foremost  agriculturists  of  the  county,  in  the  progress  and 
development  of  which  he  took  an  active  and  helpful  interest, 
belonging-  to  that  class  of  men,  who  in  the  development  of  their, 
personal  interests,  never  lose  sight  of  their  duties  as  citizens. 


MRS.  EMMA  ROY. 


^Irs.  Emma  Roy,  who  has  been  postmaster  of  Moorland  since 
1910,  has  made  her  home  in  Webster  county  for  over  ihiriy- 
two  years.  She  is  a  native  of  Missouri,  her  birth  having  occurred 
in  St.  Louis  in  August,  1864.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and 
Mary  (Kerns)  O'Melia,  who  were  born  in  Ireland.  The  father 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  early  life,  locating  in  St.  Louis, 
and  was  employed  on  steamboats  plying  on  the  Mississippi  river 
until  1866.  In  that  year,  he  decided  to  seek  his  fortune  in  the 
gold  fields  of  California,  and  leaving  his  fami'ly  in  St.  Louis  went 
to  San  Francisco.  There  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his 
death  occurring  about  1870.  He  is  survived  by  his  widow,  who 
is  seventy-one  years  of  age  and  makes  her  home  with  her  daugh- 
ter, in  Moorland. 

The  first  sixteen  years  in  the  life  of  Mrs.  Roy  were  passed 
in  St.  Louis,  her  education  being  obtained  in  the  public  schools. 
In  1880,  she  and  her  mother  removed  to  Webster  county,  which 
has  since  been  their  place  of  residence. 


166  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNT Y 

In  the  month  of  December,  1885.  was  celebrated  tlie  marriage 
of  Emma  O'Melia  to  James  Roy,  a  son  of  Peter  and  Mary 
(O'Neil)  Roy,  natives  of  Canada.  Of  this  marriage  were  born 
two  children:  Frank,  who  is  twenty-four  years  of  age  and  a  resi- 
dent of  Chicago;  and  Louise,  who  is  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
a  trained  nurse  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

In  religious  faith  the  family  are  Roman  Catholics.  Mrs.  Roy 
is  a  capable  woman  and  has  many  friends  in  Moorland,  where  for 
two  years  she  has  held  the  office  of  postmaster,  discharging  her 
duties  in  a  highly  creditable  manner. 


WILFRED  E.  ALTON,  M.  D. 

,  A  progressive  and  enterprising  mind  scientifically  inclined,  a  thor- 
ough knowledge  of  surgery  in  all  its  intricacies,  the  power  of  deep 
and  continuous  study  and  a  firm  faith  in  the  present  and  ultimate  use- 
fulness of  life  are  the  qualities  which  make  Dr.  Wilfred  E.  Alton  a 
prominent  and  efficient  physician.  He  is  now  practicing  with  rapidly 
increasing  success  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  is  well  known  as  a 
representative  member  of  his  profession.  He  was  born  in  Monroe 
county,  Wisconsin,  December  4,  1863.  His  father,  Joseph  Alton, 
was  a  member  of  a  prominent  family  of  that  name,  whose  ancestral 
home  is  in  Athelstan,  England.  He  was  born  on  the  ocean,  the  son 
of  an  officer  in  the  English  navy.  He  went  to  New  York  with  his 
parents  when  he  was  still  a  child  and  was  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  the  state-  When  he  laid  aside  his  books  he  immediately ' 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  residing  for  a  short  time  in  New 
York,  but  subsequently  removed  to  Wisconsin,  where  he  remained 
until  1872.  In  that  year  he  went  to  Minnesota  and  settled  on  a 
farm  which  he  operated,  improved  and  cultivated  with  much  success 
until  his  death,  in  March,  1906,  at  the  age  of  eighty-^ix  years.  He 
took  part  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  the  Twenty-third  Wiscon- 
sin Volunteer  Infantry,  serving  for  one  year,  after  which  he  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge.  He  was  an  active  participant  in  the 
engagement  with  the  Indians  which  has  since  become  known  as  the 
Spirit  Lake  massacre.  In  all  the  relations  of  life  Joseph  Alton  was 
distinguished  by  thorough  honesty  and  integrity  of  purjwse  and  his 
death   caused   widespread   and   genuine   regret.     His   wife,    Matilda 


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HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  1G9 

(Barrett)   Alton,  whose  birtli  occurred  in  Xew  York  state,  died  in 
June.  1904,  two  years  before  the  demise  of  her  husband. 

Dr.  .\hon  was  nine  years  of  age  wiien  his  parents  removed  to 
Minnesota.  He  receixed  his  primary  education  in  tlie  public  schools 
of  that  state  and  made  use  of  every  opportunity  to  expand  his  knowl- 
edge. He  was  graduated  from  the  Wadena  high  school  and  imme- 
diately entered  the  State  University  of  ^linnesota.  He  engaged  in 
teaching  school  from  18S6  until  1890.  It  was  his  desire  to  become 
a  member  of  the  medical  profession  but  he  did  not  receive  paternal 
sanction  to  this  plan.  His  father  on  the  contrary  wished  him  to  be- 
come a  farmer  and  otYered  him  a  section  of  land  if  he  would  remain 
at  home.  He  felt,  however,  that  his  opportunity  was  in  the  otlier 
direction  and  refused  to  devote  himself  to  agricultural  pursuits.  The 
fact  that  his  father  would  not  give  him  a  cent  to  aid  him  in  prepar- 
ing for  practice  did  not  cause  him  to  lose  heart.  He  knew  that  others 
had  been  able  to  make  their  way  through  college  unaided  and  re- 
solved that  he  would  also  do  so.  In  1891  he  began  his  studies  and 
in  1896  was  graduated  from  the  Chicago  Homeopathic  Medical  Col- 
lege. During  the  last  year  his  living  cost  him  on  an  average  of  nine 
cents  per  day.  He  brought  to  his  early  studies  in  medicine  a  keen 
and  intelligent  interest  in  the  profession  which  he  intended  to  adopt, 
marked  sympathy  w  ith  the  sick  and  suffering  and  broad  humanitarian 
principles.  These  qualities  guided  his  actions  and  influenced  his  ca- 
reer. When  he  laid  aside  his  text-books  to  enter  upon  his  profes- 
sion he  located  at  Estiierxille,  Iowa.  From  1896  to  1899  he  remained 
in  that  city  and  built  up  during  these  years  an  enviable  practice,  to 
wliich  he  gave  his  entire  time  and  attention.  He  came  to  Fort  Dodge 
in  1899  and  has  been  one  of  the  prominent  and  successful  physicians 
in  tins  city  since  that  time.  Dr.  .\lton  has  at  all  times  realized  his 
responsibility  to  the  people  whom  he  serves,  and,  desiring  to  advance 
his  professional  attainments,  in  1898  he  entered  the  Chicago  Poly- 
clinic, pursuing  a  post-graduate  cour.se  in  medicine  until  1901  and 
doing  advanced  special  work  in  pathology  under  the  al)le  instruction 
of  the  iiead  of  the  surgical  staff  of  that  school.  In  his  practice  he  lias 
specialized  to  some  extent  in  surgery.  He  was  chief  of  the  surgical 
staff  of  the  Webster  City  Hospital  until  1905,  when  he  became  a 
member  of  the  surgical  staff  of  the  new  St.  Joseph  Mercy  Hospital. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  .\merican  Medical  .Association,  tlie  Hahne- 
mann Medical  Societies  of  Chicago  and  Iowa,  and  his  name  is  well 
known  in  all  of  these  organizations. 

Vol.  11—10 


170  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

On  March  lo,  1898,  Dr.  Alton  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jennie  A.  Salisbury,  a  daughter  of  O.  A.  and  Vestalina  (Kenyon) 
Salisbury.  The  parents  were  natives  of  New  York  and  went  to 
Wisconsin  in  the  early  days  of  its  settlement.  In  1888  they  removed 
to  Estherville,  Iowa,  where  the  father  took  a  prominent  part  in  busi- 
ness and  political  circles  until  his  death  in  1905.  He  was  a  justice 
of  the  peace  for  many  years,  making  a  most  creditable  record  in  that 
connection.  His  wife  is  now  living  in  the  family  home  at  Esther- 
ville and  has  reached  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  her  age. 

Politically  Dr.  Alton  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  prohibition  party 
and  is  always  ready  to  give  his  support  to  its  principles.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Foresters  and  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.  He  affiliates  with  the  Order  of  Red  Men  and  belongs  to 
the  Royal  .\rcanum  and  to  the  Ancient  Order  of  I'nited  \\'orkmen. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  church  in  Fort  Dodge, 
actively  connected  with  religious  work. 

.\lthough  deeply  interested  in  his  profession.  Dr.  Alton  has  not 
allowed  medical  practice  to  narrow  his  mind  into  a  set  groove.  There 
is  hardly  ruiy  field  <if  mmiicipal  or  commercial  activity  in  Fort  Dodge 
in  which  his  name  is  not  prominent,  and  his  reputation  as  a  busi- 
ness man  is  second  only  to  his  prominence  as  a  physician.  He  owns 
two  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Florida  and  an  e.xtensive  ranch  in  Ore- 
gon, lie  has  in\esled  in  Oklahoma,  Texas  and  Iowa  farms  and  his 
ventures  have  always  been  successful  because  they  have  been  judi- 
ciously made.  He  owns  the  beautiful  residence  in  which  he  resides 
at  No.  1 2 17  Fourth  avenue.  North,  Fort  Dodge,  and  has  extensive  in- 
terests in  local  industrial  enterprises.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Iowa 
Foundry  &  Machine  Company,  in  the  Lehigh  Clay  Manufacturing 
Company  and  the  Annony  Company.  He  is  distinguished  in  his 
professional  and  business  life  by  activity,  industry  and  imwavering 
integrity.  While  he  has  applied  himself  "tlosely  to  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  to  the  conduct  of  important  commercial  interests,  he  has 
also  recognized  the  fact  that  the  nature  of  a  man's  recreation  is  al- 
most as  important  as  the  nature  of  his  vocation  and  has  given  such 
time  to  pleasures  as  to  maintain  an  even  balance  with  his  professional 
and  business  activity.  He  is  an  enthusiastic  boatsman  and  has  nearly 
comijlelcd  one  of  the  largest  motor  boats  e\er  l)uilt  in  Iowa.  It  is 
a  torpetlo  type  cabin  cruiser  with  staterooms  which  accommodate 
twelve  people  and  it  is  one  of  the  most  com])letely  e(iuipi)ed  vessels 
of  its  kind  in  the  middle  west.  Dr.  Alton  contemplates  making  a 
trij)  down  the  Mississippi  to  the  gulf  and  is  looking  forward  to  this 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  171 

vacation  with  enthusiasm  and  eagerness.  His  friends  are  numbered 
in  every  rank  of  Hfe  in  Fort  Dodge  and  his  life  is  influenced  by  genial 
friendliness  and  by  his  recognition  of  the  truth  of  universal  brother- 
hood. 


JOHX  H.   EASTMAN. 


In  1898  John  H.  Eastman  came  to  Barnum  and  opened  the  first 
bank  in  that  \illage,  founding  it  upon  standards  of  conscientiousness 
and  honor  and  gaining  his  reward  in  quick  success.  He  is  well  known 
in  local  financial  circles  as  a  prosperous  private  banker,  being  identi- 
fied with  the  conduct  of  his  original  enterprise.  He  was  born  in 
Goodhue  county,  Minnesota,  December  22,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of 
Ransom  and  Phoebe  (Grain)  Eastman,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio 
and  the  latter  of  Indiana.  The  father  went  to  Wisconsin  at  an 
early  date  and  remained  in  that  state  for  some  time,  going  later  to 
Minnesota,  where  he  purchased  land.  He  improved  and  operated 
his  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1867.  His 
wife  later  married  W.  G.  Rundell,  who  followed  farming  for  some 
time  but  later  operated  a  stave  factory  in  Fillmore.  Minnesota.  After 
four  years  he  engaged  in  the  egg  and  poultry  business  in  Spring 
Valley,  in  the  same  state,  and  for  eight  or  ten  j'ears  was  successful 
in  this  enterprise.  He  then  moved  to  South  Haven,  ^lichigan.  where 
he  owns  and  operates  a  fine  fruit  farm.  He  is  a  veteran  of  the  Civil 
war,  having  enlisted  at  ihc  time  of  President  Lincoln's  second  call 
for  volunteers  in  Company  C,  Third  Minnesota  Infanlry,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  now  seventy-six  years  of  age  and 
is  still  active  and  successful. 

John  H.  Eastman  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Spring  Valley,  Minnesota,  and  later  entered  the  Oskaloosa,  (la.) 
Business  College,  graduating  from  that  institution  with  the  class  of 
1888.  Immediately  afterward  he  obtained  a  position  as  clerk  in  a 
clothing  store  and  after  eight  months  of  this  connection  returned 
to  Spring  Valley,  where  he  kept  books  for  his  stepfather  for  three 
years.  His  banking  experience  began  at  the  end  of  that  time,  when 
he  obtained  a  position  as  bookkeeper  in  the  bank  at  Spring  Valley 
and  did  able  and  systematic  work  for  two  years.  In  i8<}4  he  went 
to  Callender,  Iowa,  and  formed  a  partnership  with  F.  D.  Calkin.s, 
formerly  county  auditor  of  Kossuth  county,  in  the  operation  of  a 
private  bank.     They  also  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  and  were 


172  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

successful  in  both  enterprises.  They  sold  their  interests  in  1898, 
in  which  year  Mr.  Eastman  came  to  Bamum,  where  he  opened  the 
first  bank  in  the  village,  which  lie  still  operates.  It  is  a  private  enter- 
prise and  is  conducted  along  the  progressive,  yet  conservative  lines. 
Mr.  Eastman  understands  the  details  of  present-day  banking,  while 
his  systematic  mind  and  his  up-to-date  methods  have  been  factors  in 
his  success.  The  enterprise  is  capitalized  at  fifteen  thousand  dollars 
and  is  rapidly  expanding.  ]\Ir.  Eastman  is  interested  in  various 
local  business  concerns,  holding  stock  in  the  Barnum  Telephone  Com- 
pany, of  which  he  was  a  director  and  treasurer  for  six  years.  He  is 
also  identified  with  the  Iowa  Land  &,Live  Stock  Company  of  Fort 
Dodge  and  owns  property  in  Minnesota  and  also  town  lots  in  Barnum. 
He  erected  the  building  which  his  business  occupies  and  owns  his 
attractive  and  modern  home  and  other  property  in  the  village.  He 
is  also  engaged  in  the  implement  business  here  and  has  a  large  aiul 
increasing  patronage.  He  is  one  of  the  heaviest  taxpayers  in  the 
community,  always  making  his  wealth   serve  worthy  ends. 

At  Algona,  Iowa,  on  October  15,  1897,  ^^''-  Eastman  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Luella  W'artman,  a  daughter  of  S.  S.  and  Maggie 
(Clancy)  Wartman,  natives  of  Canada.  In  his  political  affiliations 
Mr.  Eastman  is  a  progressive  republican  and  served  for  eight  years 
as  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  is  at  the  present  time  town 
treasurer.  He  held  a  similar  position  in  connection  with  the  school 
board  for  about  ten  years,  during  which  time  he  did  able  work  along 
educational  lines.  He  is  identifieil  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  holding  a  membership  in  the 
latter  organization  in  Minnesota.  Mr.  Eastman  belongs  to  the  Con- 
gregational church.  He  is  an  active  and  industrious  citizen,  a  man 
of  good  business  ability,  and  as  a  banker  he  commands  the  confi- 
dence and  trust  of  his  depositors.  He  has  worked  for  success  but 
counts  its  attainment  secondary  in  importance  to  the  methods  and 
standards  by  which  it  has  been  eflfected. 


JOHN  M.VRTIX  MLLROXEV. 

John  Martin  Mulroney  is  one  of  the  older  settlers  of  Webster 
county,  living  retired  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Third  avenue 
and  Seventh  street,  in  Fort  Dodge.  His  has  been  a  somewhat 
eventful  life   in  which  unfaltering  effort,   perseverance  and  ability 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  173 

have  brought  him  creditable  and  well  earned  success.  He  is  now 
eighty  years  of  age  for  his  birth  occurred  in  County  Kilkenny, 
Ireland,  near  Callen,  November  ii,  1832.  His  parents,  Patrick 
and  Alice  (Brophy;  .Mulroney,  are  also  natives  of  County  Kil- 
kenny. The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  on  coming  to 
America  left  his  wife  in  Williamsburg,  New  York,  while  he  went 
to  Pennsylvania,  prospecting  for  a  favorable  location.  While 
there,  however,  he  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.  His 
widow  remained  in  New  York  until  her  children  were  partly 
grown,  after  which  she  came  to  the  middle  west  and  died  in 
Emmettsburg,  Iowa,  at  an  advanced  age.  Both  were  members 
of  the  Catholic  church.  In  their  family  were  eleven  children, 
seven  sons  and  four  daughters,  as  follows :  William,  Bridget, 
Mary,  Edward,  Patrick,  Thomas,  John  M.,  Catherine,  Kieran, 
Joseph  and  Margaret. 

John  Martin  Mulroney  spent  his  early  youth  in  Williamsburg, 
New  York,  and  attended  school  there.  He  was  afterward  at 
Wolcotte  and  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  worked  in  the  forests, 
making  ties  for  the  Naugatuck  Railroad.  On  removing  westward 
to  W^isconsin  he  settled  near  Mineral  Point  and  engaged  in  haul- 
ing- lead  to  Galena,  Illinois.  While  in  Galena  he  and  his  cousin. 
T.  H.  Tobin,  grubstaked  a  claim  for  a  couple  of  men,  who  for  it 
gave  them  an  interest  in  their  flatboat  on  the  Mississippi  river. 
Mr.  Mulroney  then  went  up  the  river  to  cut  cedar  posts  and 
pickets  which  he  sold  in  Dubuque,  Iowa.  The  ne.xt  spring  he 
and  his  brother  Edward  and  Mr.  Tobin  made  a  trip  to  California 
by  way  of  the  Nicaragua  route.  This  was  in  1850.  From  Nicara- 
gua they  traveled  partly  on  foot,  partly  on  mules  and  partly  by 
steamer  to  their  destination.  .After  arriving  in  San  l->ancisco 
they  hired  out  to  a  farmer  who  had  l)een  an  old  sea  captain,  to 
help  him  cut  his  barley,  for  which  they  received  nine  dollars  per 
day.  They  worked  for  him  for  about  six  weeks  and  then  wci\t  to 
the  gold  mines  on  the  east  branch  of  the  north  fork  of  the 
Feather  river.  At  that  time  the  territory  in  which  they  were  lo- 
cated had  not  yet  been  sui)divi(led  into  counties  and  lynch  rule 
was  the  law  of  the  land.  As  history  shows  it  proved  a  good  law, 
as  it  prevented  many  depredations,  compelled  the  u.se  of  good 
language  and  the  display  of  respect  for  one  another  and  their 
rights.  Then,  too,  when  justice  had  to  be  administered  it  was 
done  summarilv  and  the  culprit  was  placed  where  he  could  harm 
no  one  again.     During  the  first  three  years  Mr.  Mulroney  spent 


174  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

in  the  mountains  he  did  not  see  a  white  woman  nor  a  white  child, 
nor  a  dead  person,  that  had  died  a  natural  death.  In  the  Ameri- 
can valley  seven  miles  away  lived  a  Mr.  Stark  with  his  family, 
who  removed  there  from  Missouri.  His  eldest  daughter,  about 
fifteen  years  of  age,  was  known  by  all  the  men  of  that  district  as 
Sister  Betsey  and  if  anyone  said  a  word  about  her  it  was  at  the 
peril  of  his  life,  such  was  the  chivalry  toward  and  respect  paid 
to  the  women  of  the  west  in  that  early  day.  When  Mr.  Mul- 
roney  and  his  comrades  went  to  California  they  carried  their 
tools  and  supplies  on  their  backs  but  the  next  year  a  pack  train 
was  started  and  the  charge  of  ten  cents  per  pound  was  made 
for  packing.  Their  diet  consisted  of  pork.  Chili  beans  and  Chili 
flour  twenty-one  times  a  week!  Because  of  that,  scurvy  broke 
out  among  them  but  the  next  year  they  managed  to  get  potatoes 
and  were  advised  to  eat  them  raw,  which  they  did.  This  sup- 
plied a  dietary  need  and  from  that  time  on  the  men  got  along 
nicel}^  At  length  they  became  owners  of  a  pack  train  and  while 
engaged  in  packing  for  some  time  they  also  continued  to  work 
their  gold  mine  and  did  very  well  in  their  business.  In  1857  Mr. 
Mulroney  and  Mr.  Tobin  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Palo  Alto 
county,  and  upon  its  organizati(jn  in  the  fall  of  1838  Mr.  Mul- 
roney was  elected  county  treasurer  and  recorder,  the  two  offices 
being  at  that  time  connected.  He  served  altogether  for  eight 
years  and  then  retired.  While  there  he  was  also  postmaster  of 
Soda  Bar  and  was  justice  of  the  peace.  \\  hilc  filling  the  latter 
position  he  performed  the  marriage  ceremony  for  the  first  couple 
ever  married  in  that  county. 

When  the  Indians  broke  out  in  open  warfare  in  Jackson  and 
New  Ulm,  Minnesota,  about  this  time,  and  massacred  a  number 
of  white  settlers,  Mr.  Mulroney,  his  brother  and  a  Mr.  Tobin 
took  three  horses  and  went  as  far  as  Estherville,  Iowa.  There 
they  were  joined  by  a  Mr.  Ridley,  who  took  one  of  their  horses 
and  they  proceeded  to  the  seat  of  trouble  to  assist  the  white  men. 
When  they  arrived  at  their  destination,  however,  the  soldiers 
had  arrived  from  Spirit  Lake  before  them  and  the  trouble  was 
over.  They  met  wagons  on  the  way  toward  the  south  which  were 
filled  with  wounded  and  they  also  met  a  company  of  volunteers 
of  about  thirty  men  on  the  way  to  Jackson  from  Fort  Dodge, 
Iowa,  and  on  their  way  back  notified  them  that  the  trouble  had 
passed.  These  Indians  were  the  last  seen  in  this  state  except 
those   which   have    become    civilized.      Mr.    Mulroney   then   re- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  175 

Uirned  home  and  although  he  had  been  too  late  to  be  of  any 
actual  help,  his  desire  to  help  must  be  just  as  highly  estimated 
as  if  he  had  been  of  actual  service. 

In  1868  Mr.  Muhoney  came  to  Fort  Dodge  and  traded  a  large 
number  of  cattle  for  an  interest  in  a  general  store.  He  was  thus 
engaged  in  merchandising  in  this  city  for  thirty  years  or  until 
he  retired,  occupying  a  prominent  place  as  a  leading  and  pro- 
gressive merchant  of  the  cil\.  W  ith  its  upbuilding  he  was  iden- 
tified almost  from  the  beginning  and  his  labors  have  ccinstituted 
an  important  clement  in  the  work  of  ])ublic  progress.  He  and 
si.x  others,  namely:  John  V.  Duncombe,  A.  McBane,  E.  E.  Prus- 
sia, a  ]Mr.  Grant,  (ieorge  R.  Pearson,  and  G.  W.  Hassett  built 
the  -Minneapolis  &  St.  Louis  Rai'road  from  Fort  Dodge,  then 
called  the  h'ort  Dodge  &  h'ort  Ridgley  Railroad,  construct- 
ing about  forty  miles  of  that  line  and  operating  the  cars  as 
far  as  Humboldt.  They  afterward  sold  the  line  to  the  Min- 
neapolis &  St.  Louis  Compan\-  but  in  coniiection  with  .\lr.  l"ur- 
long  and  Mr.  London  graded  the  road  fi-om  l'"ort  Dodge  t(j  Cla- 
rion. His  labors  have  always  been  of  a  character  that  has  con- 
tributed to  public  progress  and  improvement.  Aside  from  com- 
mercial and  industrial  activity  he  became  identified  with  financial 
interests  and  is  now  the  vice  president  of  the  hirst  Xational 
I^>ank   of   Fort    Dodge. 

In  1858  Mr.  Mulroney  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Evans,  a 
daughter  of  Jeremiah  and  Hannah  (Onimby)  Evans.  They  be- 
came the  parents  of  eight  children:  :Mary.  the  wife  of  Edmund 
O'Connell,  of  Bloomington,  Illinois  :  Josephine,  deceased;  Kieran  ; 
William,  of  h'ort  Dodge:  Joseph  R.  and  Dr.  Charles  H.,  also  resi- 
dents of  Fort  Dodge;  Edward  C.  of  Missoula,  Montana,  where 
he  is  practicing  law;  and  Lewis  .\..  making  his  home  in  Fort 
Dodge.  She  and  her  husband  were  the  first  couple  married  in 
Humboldt  county  and  she  passed  away  in  1882  at  the  age  of 
thirty-eight  years.  In  18X4  Mr.  Muboney  married  again,  his 
second  union  being  with  Hannah  I'.urns,  a  daughter  of  Patrick 
Burns.  There  were  three  chihlren  born  of  that  marriage,  of 
whom  two  are  now  living,  Frank  and  Robert  E.,  of  Fort  Dodge, 
both  of  whom  are  students  in  the  University  of  Iowa,  at  Iowa 
City.  The  daughter  Anna  died  when  she  was  hut  a  year  old. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mulroney  are  members  of  the  .Sacred  Heart  Catholic 
church  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa. 


176  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

In  politics  Mr.  Aliilroney  has  always  l)een  a  democrat  but  has 
never  been  an  active  politician,  although  he  has  held  several  local 
positions.  He  has  preferred  to  concentrate  his  time  and  energies 
upon  his  private  business  affairs  which  have  been  capably  man- 
aged and  have  brought  to  him  a  measure  of  success  which  is 
gratifying.  His  business  methods  have  always  been  such  as  would 
bear  the  closest  investigation  and  scrutin\-  and  he  has  enjoyed 
in  large  measure  the  trust  and  good-will  of  the  puldic. 


CHARLES  B.  HEPLER. 

Architecture  in  its  broad  aspect  of  municipal  building  carried 
on  along  artistic  lines,  has  for  many  years  occupied  the  atten- 
tion of  Charles  B.  Hepler,  to  whose  energy  and  skill  in  this 
profession  Fort  Dodge  owes  a  great  deal  of  her  civic  beauty. 
Mr.  Hepler  is  a  native  of  Philadelphia,  in  which  city  his  birth 
occurred  on  Noveniber  6,  1850.  His  jjarents  were  Samuel  and 
Christina  (Boyd)  Hepler,  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The 
father  was  born  in  Philadelphia  and  kept  the  tollgate  at  Perkio- 
menville,  Montgomery  county,  for  over  fifty  years  and  spent  all 
his  life  in  that  city.  His  death  occurred  there  and  there  his  wife 
also  passed  away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Samuel  Hepler  were  the  parents 
of  two  children:  Charles  B.,  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  and  Kate, 
now  Mrs.  Freed,  residing  in  Atlantic  City. 

Charles  Hepler  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Philadelphia.  He  pursued  the  usual  course  of  study  until  he 
was  twelve  years  of  age.  At  that  time,  influenced  by  the  rumors 
of  wealth  and  adventure  to  be  found  in  the  west,  he  ran  away 
from  home  and  came  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  immedi- 
ately obtained  a  position  in  the  office  of  Fred  FVost,  one  of  the 
leading  architects  in  Fort  Dodge.  Thus  it  was  that  the  future 
career  of  Mr.  Hepler  was  determined,  lie  early  gained  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  principles  of  architecture  and  showed  a  decided  talent 
in  this  line.  He  remained  with  his  original  employer,  Fred  Frost, 
until  1878,  when  he  became  associated  in  business  with  a  Mr. 
Brown  for  about  five  years  and  so  continued  until  he  established 
himself  in  business  independently  in  b'ort  Dodge  and  built  up 
through  many  years  of  active  life  a  flourishing  and  successful 
business.     He  planned,  designed  and  erected  a  great  many  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  WlilSSTER  COL'NTY  177 

finest  dwellings  in  Fort  Dodge  and  gained  such  an  eminent  repu- 
tation that  when  the  government  l)ui!ding  was  under  considera- 
tion he  was  appointed  inspector.     The  present  magnificent  struc- 
ture is  evidence  of  his  ability  and  efficiency  along  this  line.     It 
is  one  of  the  finest  government  buildings  in  the  state  of  Iowa 
and  architecturally  perfect  in  every  detail.     Mr.  Ilepler  also  acted 
as  inspector   of  the   county   courthouse.      He  remained   in    l*"ort 
Dodge,    becoming   more    prominent    and    successful    with    every 
year  of  his  life  in  this  city,  until   1907  when  he  went  to  Sioux  City 
and    accepted   a   position    with    Curtis    Brothers,    architects    and 
manufacturers,   and   remained   in   that   capacity   for  three   years. 
He  is  now  residing  at  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota,  being  e.xpert 
in  the  branch  house  of  the  Farley-Letcher  Company.     The  home 
office  of  this  company  is  in  Dubuque.  Iowa,  and  during  the  period 
of  Mr.  Kepler's  connection  with  their  affairs  their  growing  busi- 
ness reflected  credit  upon  his  ability  and  professional  attainment. 
In  July,    1871,   'Sir.   Heplcr   w.is   united  in   marriage   to   Mary 
(Wright)    Jenkins,    a    daughter    of    William     Henry    and     I'.liza 
(Chase)  Wright.     Mrs.  Heplcr"s  father  was  born  in  Ohio  and  her 
grandfather  in  Virginia,  wiiile  her  mother  was  a  native  of  Xew 
York.     They  were   all  affiliated  with  the   Quaker  religion,  and 
during    the    years     immediately    preceding    the    Civil     war     were 
obliged  to  move  to  Ohio  in  order  to  avoid  living  in  a  slave  state. 
They  were  stanch  abolitionists  by  personal  conviction  and  also 
on  account  of  their  religious  principles.    The  father  later  went  to 
Pikes  Peak  in  the  days  of  the  Colorado  mining  boom  and  became 
successful  as  a   miner  and   property  owner  in   that   sectmn.      lie 
eventually  removed  to  California  and  became  a  substantial  and 
representative  citizen  of  Sacramento.     He  was  elected  sheriff  of 
the  county  and  was  the  first  man  to  bold  that  office,     .\ftcr  five 
years  of  residence  in  California  .Mr.   Wright  came  to  Iowa  and 
located    in    West    Liberty.      Here   he   engaged    in   business   with 
his  brother  as  proprietor  of  a  general  store,  with  which  he  was 
connected  for  one  year.     He  later  sold  his  interest  to  his  brotiier 
and  bought  a  farm  near  West  Liberty,  which  he  improved  and 
cultivated  until  his  wife  died  in  i86r.     In  that  year  Mr.  W^right 
removed  to  Cedar  Falls  and  accepted  a  position  with  the  Wells 
Fargo  Express  Company  as  messenger.     This  was  long  before 
the  days  of  railroads  and  Mr.  Wright's  duties  consisted  of  driving 
a  stage  between  Cedar  Falls  and  Dubuque  and  between  Cedar 
Falls  and  Sioux  City.     He  held  this  position  until  1868  when  he 


178  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

went  in  the  railroad  contracting  business  in  partnersiiip  witii  a 
Mr.  London.  They  were  employed  by  the  Illinois  Central  Rail- 
road to  grade  their  tracks  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Dodge.  Mr. 
AWight's  actixities  extended  tive  miles  east  and  five  miles  west 
of  the  city,  and  the  thorough  and  capable  work  which  he  did 
won  him  high  recognition.  He  lived  in  Webster  county  for  some 
time  and  became  prominent  in  county  politics.  He  was  elected 
sheriff  of  that  county  and  served  as  marshal  for  a  number  of 
years.  He  was  also  identified  with  various  other  ])ul)Iic  positions 
and  was  one  of  the  representative  men  of  this  district.  He  went 
to  the  Black  Hills  in  South  Dakota  during  the  first  days  of  the 
discovery  of  ore  in  that  region  and  took  up  a  claim  there.  He 
became  well  known  as  a  publisher  and  editor.  He  operated  and 
managed  the  leading  journal  in  Ra])id  City  and  was  later  con- 
nected with  the  Deadwood  Times  for  fifteen  or  twenty  }ears. 
His  health  finally  failed  and  after  a  period  of  invalidity  he  was 
stricken  with  ])ncumonia  and  dietl  at  Lead  City.  South  Dakota, 
in  November.  i88j.  Mr.  Wright's  activities  in  \arious  fields  of 
endeavor  always  met  with  a  gratifying  degree  of  success.  He 
became  well  known  and  prominent  wherever  he  lived  and  his 
death  removed  from  the  state  of  South  Dakota  one  of  the  infiucn- 
tial  forces  in  its  development.- 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Hepler  were  born  four  children:  Grace 
\\'.,  who  married  C.  H.  Smith,  a  proiuinent  politician  of  h'ort 
Dodge  and  well  known  for  his  activities  in  the  city  council  under 
the  commission  form  of  government :  .\nna  W..  the  wife  of  James 
W.  Leslie,  of  Seattle.  ANashington ;  Carl  R..  who  is  now  man- 
aging the  Magic  and  Princess  theaters  in  F'ort  Dodge;  and  Fred 
Chase,  who  passed  away  in  September.  1880. 

Previous  to  her  marriage  with  our  subject  Mrs.  Hepler  had 
been  the  wife  of  Andrew  Jenkins,  whom  she  married  in  August, 
1868.  He  was  prominent  in  the  livery  business  in  Fort  Dodge 
at  one  time  and  was  successful  later  as  an  employe  of  a 
Milwaukee  bridge  company,  which  was  spanning  the  Rock  Rapids 
with  a  modernly  constructed  bridge.  When  that  work  was  com- 
pleted they  commissioned  Mr.  Jenkins  to  drive  to  Sibley,  Iowa, 
for  payment.  The  journey  was  twelve  miles  long  and  had  to  be 
made  over  unimproved  roads  and  in  the  dead  of  winter.  A  ter- 
rible blizzard  overtook  the  party  and  Mr.  Jenkins  was  frozen  to 
death.  By  her  former  marriage  Mrs.  Hepler  became  the  mother 
of  two  children:  Albert,  who  resides  in  Fort  Dodge,  where  he 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  179 

follows  the  trade  of  carpentering;  and  Markoe,  who  is  an  engi- 
neer for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  with  residence  at  Freeport, 
Illinois. 

Although  Mr.  Hepler's  business  keeps  him  a  great  part  <if  the 
time  in  Sioux  Falls,  he  is  a  loyal  citizen  of  Fort  Dodge  and  main- 
tains his  residence  in  this  city.  He  has  erected  a  beautiful  home 
at  1234  Si.xth  avenue,  south,  which  is  one  of  the  most  comfortable 
and  commodious  in  the  city.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hepler  are  well  known 
in  social  circles  and  are  among  the  prominent  and  popular  resi- 
dents of  Fort  Dodge.  Mrs.  Hepler  is  a  charming  and  hospitable 
woman  with  a  remarkable  degree  of  culture  and  literary  attain- 
ment. She  is  interested  in  history  and  is  known  as  an  authority 
upon  the  contlitions  of  early  jMoneer  settlement  in  the  middle 
west. 

Politicall)  r^Ir.  Hepler  keeps  himself  indepentlent  of  lines  and 
parties.  He  is  a  firm  believer  in  indixidual  right  of  judgment 
and  always  votes  for  the  man  regardless  of  his  affiliations.  Mrs. 
Hepler  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  which  was  the 
religion  of  her  father  and  forefathers.  Mr.  Hepler  does  not  affil- 
iate with  any  particular  form  of  l)clief.  He  molds  his  life  ac- 
cording to  principles  of  high-minded  honor  and  integrity  and 
is  well  known  in  Fort  Dodge  as  a  man  of  exemplary  character. 
In  all  the  lines  of  his  activity  he  is  well  and  favorably  known 
by  reason  of  his  professional  attainment  and  the  high  and  intelli- 
gent quality  of  his  citizenship. 


FR.^NCIS  FRANKLIN  LUTZ. 

Francis  F.  Lutz  follows  the  trade  of  tiling  in  Duncombe,  Iowa, 
and  also  conducts  a  pool  hall  in  that  city.  His  career  has  come  to 
final  success  after  a  long  period  of  vicissitudes  and  the  prosperity 
which  he  has  attained  is  a  credit  to  his  native  sagacity  and  indus- 
irv.  Ho  was  Ixjrn  in  .\ew  ^'ork  city.  December  25.  1858,  and  was 
left  an  orphan  when  only  four  years  of  age,  being  too  young  to  re- 
member even  the  names  of  his  parents.  He  was  put  in  the 
Soldiers'  Home  in  his  native  city  and  after  a  slmrt  time  was 
adopted  by  George  Gilmore,  of  Brovvnstown,  Illinois,  who  for  live 
years  reared  and  educated  his  charge.  .\t  the  end  of  that  time 
Mr.  Lutz  was  taken  from  his  guardian  by  the  Illinois  .-om.k  <„, 


180  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

account  of  the  latter's  cruelty.  He  then  entered  the  home  of 
Frank  Steinhowe,  a  farmer  and  brewer  of  Vandalia,  lUinois,  and 
here  he  remained  for  fourteen  years.  He  was  seized  with  yellow 
fever  and  was  ordered  to  another  climate,  going  eventually  to  the 
Black  hills  of  South  Dakota.  Here  he  learned  ditching  and  when 
he  had  fully  recovered  his  health  went  to  Clinton,  Illinois,  where 
he  resided  for  eight  years,  following  railroading  the  greater  por- 
tion of  the  time.  Subsequently  in  1895.  he  came  to  Duncombe, 
where  he  worked  at  his  trade  of  tiling,  in  which  he  has  been  suc- 
cessful in  all  for  twenty-five  years.  In  the  last  year  he  has  laid 
eight  hundred  rods  of  tile  upon  the  farms  around  Duncombe  and 
expects  to  continue  this  business  after  the  harvest  of  191 2.  In  1905 
he  opened  a  pool  hall  in  the  city  in  which  he  resides  and  this  he  has 
since  conducted  successfully. 

On  January  10,  1886,  Mr,  Lutz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  G.  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Miles  and  Mary  Etta  Brown,  natives 
of  Harristown,  Illinois.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lutz  became  the  parents 
of  fifteen  children,  of  whom  the  following  are  deceased,  Roy, 
Minnie  Belle,  Walter  E..  Lilly  and  Lincoln.  Those  who  sur- 
vive are,  .\rthur,  Mary.  luirl,  Printhia,  Bea,  Libby,  Anna  Rose, 
Miles,  Robert  and  Franklin. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Lutz  is  republican  and  has  served  as 
marshal  of  Duncombe  for  five  years.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
church,  and  is  a  member  of  the  local  lodge  of  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  lie  has  a  comfortable  home  in  the  city  where  he  has 
resided  for  seventeen  years,  gaining  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his 
friends  by  reason  of  a  life  which  has  been  made  successful  through 
his  own  efforts  and  by  reason  of  straightforward  principles  which 
ha\e  been  retained  through  unusual  hardships. 


THOMAS  J.  HALLIGAN. 

Thomas  J.  Halligan,  who  is  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Moorland, 
where  he  is  also  engaged  in  buying  live  stock,  is  one  of  the  fore- 
most citizens  of  Fulton  township,  where  he  holds  the  title  to 
three  hundred  and  thirty-seven  acres  of  land.  A  member  of  one 
of  Webster  county's  pioneer  families,  he  was  born  in  Elkhorn 
township,  on  the  28th  of  March,  1881.  He  is  a  son  of  Anthony 
and  Anna    (Trainor)   Halligan,  the   former  a  native  of  Wiscon- 


HISTORY  OF  WEI'.STRR  COL'XTY  181 

sin  and  the  latter  of  Ireland.  The  father  reninved  to  Iowa  about 
i860  with  his  parents,  who  located  in  the  vicinity  of  Dubuque, 
and  there  resided  for  many  years.  In  1872.  he  drove  across  the 
Iowa  prairies  to  \\'ebster  county  and  began  farming  for  himself 
as  a  renter.  .\i  the  expiration  of  seven  years  he  had  accumu- 
lated sufficient  nione\-  to  enable  him  to  buy  land  and  he  pur- 
chased a  hundred  and  si.xty  acres  in  I-"ikhorn  township.  Here  he 
continued  his  agricultural  pursuits  with  more  than  an  average 
degree  of  success,  adding  to  his  holdings  as  the  years  jjassed  until 
he  held  title  to  fi\e  hundred  acres.  The  further  improvement  and 
cttltivation  of  his  land  engaged  his  attention  until  1897.  when  he 
left  the  farm  and  came  to  Moorland.  He  here  engaged  in  stock- 
buying  for  about  five  years,  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  moved  on 
a  farm  in  Fulton  township,  where  he  is  now  living  retired.  1  he 
mother  is  deceased,  having  passed  away  in  1881. 

The  son  of  an  agriculturist  and  born  on  a  farm,  the  boyhood 
and  youth  of  Thomas  J.  Halligan  were  passed  very  much  as 
those  of  other  lads  who  are  reared  in  rural  districts.  At  the 
usual  age  he  began  his  education  in  the  district  schools,  con- 
tinuing his  course  of  study  in  Tobin  College  at  Fort  Dodge.  After 
leaving  school  he  returned  home  and  together  with  his  four 
brothers  organized  and  established  a  private  bank  known  as  the 
Bank  of  Moorland.  They  all  assist  in  the  operation  of  the  enter- 
prise, which  is  one  of  the  thriving  financial  institutions  of  the 
county.  In  connection  with  his  duties  as  cashier  Mr.  llaliigan 
engages  in  buying  stock  and  directs  the  cultivation  of  his  tme 
homestead.  It  comprises  a  hundred  and  seventy-seven  acres  of 
land  and  is  located  just  outside  the  corporate  limits  of  Moor- 
land. He  takes  great  pride  in  his  farm,  which  is  one  of  the  best 
improved  and  most  attractive  properties  in  this  vicinity.  He 
also  holds  the  title  to  a  quarter  section  of  land  located  four  miles 
from  Moorland,  which  he  rents  out.  His  time  and  energies  have 
always  been  intelligently  expended  and  despite  the  fact  that  he 
has  not  attained  the  age  of  thirty-two  years,  yet  he  is  re- 
garded as  one  of  the  foremost  business  men  and  most  capable 
agriculturists  in  the  township. 

In  OctobeV,  1906.  Mr.  Halligan  was  married  to  Miss  Rose  A. 
Byrne,  a  daughter  of  Michael  \V.  and  .Anna  (Andrews)  Hyrnc. 
natives  of  Ireland.  Three  children  were  born  of  this  marriage, 
as  follows:  Mary  Fern,  who  is  in  her  sixth  year:  Lawrence  P.. 
who  is   in  his  fifth  year;  and  one.   who  died   in   infancy.      Mrs. 


182  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Halligan  passed  away  on  the   loth  of  Marcli,   1912,  after  a  brief 
illness. 

In  matters  of  religious  faith  Mr.  Halligan  is  a  Roman  Cath- 
olic and  his  wife  was  also  a  communicant  of  that  church.  In  poli- 
tics he  is  a  democrat  and  stanchly  supports  the  men  and  meas- 
ures of  that  party-  He  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  town 
council  and  at  the  present  time  is  treasurer  of  both  the  town  board 
and  school  board.  Mr.  Halligan  takes  an  active  interest  in  all 
local  industries,  particularly  those  affecting  the  agricultural  sec- 
tions and  is  one  of  the  stockholders  of  the  Coo])erative  Cream- 
ery Compan}'  of  Des  Moines.  He  is  a  young  man  of  tireless 
energy,  determination  of  purpose  and  laudable  ambition,  which 
commendable  qualities  are  rapidly  leading  him  on  to  the  goal 
of  achievement  and  will  ultimately  rank  him  high  in  the  list  of 
the  county's  representative  citizens. 


CHRIS    CHRISTENSEN. 

Chris  Christensen  is  manager  of  the  Badger  branch  of  the  lum- 
ber l:)usiness  conducted  l)y  j.  H.  Oueal  &  Company,  ha\ing  risen 
to  this  responsible  position  in  a  short  time  by  hard  work,  energy 
and  persistent  attention  to  the  interests  of  his  employers.  .Since 
191 1  he  has  operated  a  restaurant  in  the  same  city  and  is  meet- 
ing with  his  usual  success  in  this  field  of  activity.  He  was  born 
in  Denmark,  Januar\-  8,  1876.  and  is  a  son  of  Lars  and  Johanna 
(Jensen)  Christensen.  The  father  was  a  stonecutter  and  worked 
at  his  trade  in  Denmark,  where  his  death  occurred  in  May,  1908. 
His  wife  is  still  living  in  her  native  land. 

Chris  Christensen  was  reared  at  home  and  was  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  Denmark.  At  the  age  of  si.xteen  he  emi- 
grated to  America,  locating  in  Ringstead,  Iowa,  in  1892.  He  ob- 
tained employment  as  a  farm  hand  and  gained  his  livelihood  by 
this  work  for  several  years.  He  was  thrifty  and  ambitious  and 
saved  his  money  so  that  he  was  soon  able  to  rent  a  farm  near 
Ringsted,  which  he  operated  and  improved  for  two  years.  He 
then  moved  into  the  village  and  became  engaged  in  the  draying 
business  which  after  a  year  he  abandoned  in  order  to  work  in  a 
luml)eryard  in  a  humble  position.  After  four  months'  service 
in  this  capacity  his  employers  sent  him  to  Lone  Rock  in  order 


HISTORY  OF  W  ELISTER  COLXTV  183 

to  take  charge  of  a  yard  operated  by  J.  H.  Oueal  &  Company. 
Here  he  did  such  efficient  and  practical  work  that  after  four 
years  he  was  transferred  to  Badger,  where  he  has  since  been 
general  manager  of  the  brancli  house.  In  191 1  Mr.  I  hristensen 
added  to  his  activities  liy  starting  a  restaurant  whicli  he  still 
conducts. 

On  March  16,  1898,  Chris  Ciiristensen  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Mary  Jepson.  a  daughter  of  Nels  and  Anna  C.  Nissen  Jep- 
son,  natives  of  Denmark.  To  Mr.  and  !\Irs.  Christensen  have 
been  born  three  children,  Thora,  .\lbert  and  Clarence,  aged  re- 
spectively twelve,  ten  and  five  years. 

Mr.  Christensen  owns  the  buikling  in  which  lie  conducts  his 
business  and  the  property  on  wliich  it  stands  and  is  one  of  tiio 
progressive  and  enterprising  citizens  of  Badger.  He  belongs  to 
the  Improved  Order  of  Red  Men  and  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America,  affiliating  also  with  the  Danish  Brotherhood.  He  is 
a  believer  in  the  Lutheran  religion.  In  liis  political  views  he  is 
a  consistent  republican  and  has  served  as  town  clerk  for  several 
years  and  also  did  able  work  as  school  director.  He  is  one  of  the 
promising  young  business  men  of  Badger,  active  in  promoting  his 
own  success  but  at  the  same  time  mindful  of  his  obligations  as 
a  citizen.  He  has  made  the  two  business  enterprises  with  which 
he  is  connected  successful  by  always  seizing  any  favorable  oppor- 
tunit)^  for  expansion  and  by  adhering  faithfully  to  high  standards 
of  personal  and  commercial  honor. 


L.  VERXE  MILI.1:R. 


L.  Verne  Miller,  assistant  cashier  of  tiie  Savings  Hank  at  Dnn- 
combe,  is  one  of  Iowa's  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurreil  in 
Hamilton  county  on  the  iStli  of  .\ugust.  IcSSj.  His  parents  are 
John  and  Amelia  (Woodward)  Miller,  the  former  a  native  of  Iowa 
and  the  latter  of  the  state  of  Xew  \ork.  John  Miller  was  only  a 
boy  when  he  located  in  Hamilton  county  with  his  parents.  There 
he  was  reared  to  manhood  and  when  old  enough  to  begin  work- 
ing, turiu'd  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  by  reason  of 
his  diligence  and  thrift  subsequently  ac(|uired  a  farm  of  his  own. 
The  cidtivation  and  improxcmenl  of  his  land  engaged  his  undi- 


184  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

vided  attention  until  1910,  when  he  retired  to  Webster  City,  where 
he  and  his  wife  are  still  residing. 

The  first  twenty  years  in  the  life  of  L.  Verne  Miller  were 
passed  under  the  parental  roof,  his  time  being  largely  devoted  to 
the  acquirement  of  an  education.  Upon  terminating  his  school 
days  he  engaged  in  teaching,  being  identified  with  this  profes- 
sion for  six  years.  He  next  accepted  a  position  as  relief  clerk 
in  the  postoiifice  at  \\'ebster  City,  following  which  he  became 
cashier  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company.  He  served 
in  the  latter  capacity  until  May  2,  191 1.  when  he  resigned  to 
accept  the  position  of  bookkeeper  in  the  Duncom])e  Savings 
Bank.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  was  promoted  to  the  office 
of  assistant  cashier,  his  services  in  this  connection  having  proven 
to  be  highly  acceptable.  Mr.  Miller  is  a  young  man  of  genial 
disposition  and  accommodating  maimer  and  by  reason  of  his 
unfailing  courtesy  has  become  very  popular  with  the  patrons 
of  the  bank. 

Fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  Elmo  Lodge.  No.  63,  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  of  Webster  City.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  local  politics, 
giving  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  is  treasurer  of 
the  school  board.  General  efificiency.  fidelity  to  duty  and  unques- 
tionable integrity  are  the  most  striking  characteristics  of  this 
young  man,  who  enjoys  the  esteem  and  respect  of  a  large  circle 
of  Duncombe's  citizens. 


.\RTHUR  L.  RICHARDS. 

Arthur  L.  Richards  has  been  a  resident  of  Vincent  since  1892  and  has 
been  engaged  in  various  important  business  enterprises  in  the  village 
since  that  time.  He  is  one  of  the  well  known,  progressive  and  enter- 
prising business  men  of  the  section  and  his  activities  which  are  al- 
ways of  a  constructive  kind,  have  been  factors  in  local  development. 
He  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  in  1854,  a  son  of  Edwin 
C.  and  I  hilena  (Shaw)  Richards,  natives  of  Massachussetts.  His 
father  was  a  musician  and  followed  this  line  of  occupation  for  almost 
fortv  years.  When  he  came  to  Iowa  he  located  in  Chapin,  Franklin 
county,  in  1875.  ^""^^  there  taught  a  large  music  class.  He  also  pur- 
chased land  and  operated  his  farm  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1886.     His  wife  passed  away  in  1883. 


MRS.    ADDA  .1.    lUCIIAIiDS 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  187 

Arthur  L.  Richards  was  reared  and  educated  in  Ohio.  When  he  laid 
aside  liis  books  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he  came  to  Iowa  with  his  par- 
ents and  after  a  short  time  began  farming,  cultivating  the  soil  until 
he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age.  Subsequently,  in  1892,  he  came  to 
\'incent  and  in  partnership  with  Anderson  Brothers  bought  an  eleva- 
tor, of  which  lie  had  charge  for  a  number  of  years.  He  has  recently 
been  engaged  in  handling  stock  and  makes  frequent  trips  to  Canada 
to  buy  high-grade  animals.  He  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  repub- 
lican party  and  for  eleven  years  was  postmaster  of  \'incent. 

On  August  2.2,  1872,  Mr.  Richards  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ada  J.  Riddle,  a  daughter  of  T.  C.  and  Sarah  (Colt)  Riddle,  the 
former  a  native  of  New-  York  and  the  latter  of  Niagara  Falls.  Her 
mother  was  born  on  the  farm,  upon  which  one  end  of  the  suspension 
bridge  over  the  Niagara  river  was  afterward  built.  For  some  time 
her  father  operated  a  small  boat  on  the  Erie  canal  and  continued  in 
this  line  of  activity  until  1857,  when  he  came  with  his  family  to  Iowa 
and  located  at  Grinnell.  From  there  he  went  to  Franklin  county, 
where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  which  he 
improved  and  developed  until  his  death  on  February  24.  1876.  His 
wife  is  still  living  in  the  eighty-sixth  year  of  her  age  and  makes  her 
home  with  the  subject  of  tiiis  review.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richards  have 
four  children :  Edwin  C,  who  is  engaged  as  a  tinner  and  plumber  at 
Waverly,  and  who  married  Miss  Maude  Burbank:  Sarah  I.,  the  wife 
of  John  Arnold,  a  real-estate  dealer  in  Fort  Meade,  Florida;  Alberta 
M.,  who  married  Frank  Arnold,  agent  tor  the  Chicago  &  Great 
Western  Railroad  at  Thornton;  and  Clarence  A.,  who  is  attending  the 
Fort  Dodge  business  college,  and  who  is  also  assistant  ix)stmaster  of 
Vincent.  Mrs.  Richards  is  one  of  the  prominent  and  well  known 
women  of  the  village  in  which  she  resides  and  is  not  only  an  ex- 
emplary wife  and  moiiier  but  a  remarkably  able  business  woman. 
She  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Vincent  Savings  Bank  and  in  the  Vincent 
Telephone  Company  and  also  for  some  years  assisted  her  husband  in 
the  operation  of  a  hotel  barljershop  and  livery  business.  On  .\ugust 
22,  191 1,  she  was  appointed  postmistress  of  Vincent  and  has  since 
served  in  that  capacity,  discharging  her  duties  ably  and  conscien- 
tiously. 

Mr.  Richards  is  well  known  in  local  fraternal  circles,  holding  mem- 
bership in  the  Modern  W^oodmen  of  America,  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  1-ellows  and  the  Masonic  order,  while  his  wife  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star.  He  sened  for  eleven  years  as 
postmaster  and  was  also  the  town  marshal  for  several  years.  He  and 
Vol.  n— 1 1 


188  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

his  family  belong  to  the  Methodist  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richards 
own  much  valuable  property  in  Vincent,  including  several  fine  business 
lots  and  the  postoffice  building.  They  ha\e  also  a  three  hundred  acre 
farm  in  Canada  and  are  interested  in  various  local  enterprises,  all  of 
which  are  important  and  remunerative.  They  are  among  the  most 
prominent  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  Vincent,  where  both  are 
well  known  in  business  and  social  circles.  In  spirit  and  interests  they 
are  representative  of  the  highest  standards  and  their  lives  and  activ- 
ities    have     been     useful     and     valuable     in     various     directions. 


CHARLES  VICTOR  LUXDBERG. 

Charles  Victor  Lundberg  is  a  worthy  representative  of  tlie 
mercantile  interests  of  Dayton,  where  he  has  won  the  success  that 
invariably  rewards  honorable  business  methods  when  followed 
with  diligence  and  perseverance.  He  was  born  in  Andover, 
Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  4th  of  December,  i860,  and  is  a 
son  of  Jonas  P.  and  Johanna  Matilda  (Price)  Lundberg.  The 
parents  were  both  natives  of  Sweden,  and  there  they  were  mar- 
ried. When  Jonas  P.  Lundberg  was  a  little  lad  of  five  years  his 
mother  died  and  he  was  reared  by  his  grandmother  until  he  was 
deemed  old  enough  to  learn  a  trade.  At  the  age  of  eight  he 
entered  the  service  of  a  local  tailor,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
he  was  grown.  After  the  expiration  of  his  period  of  service  he 
turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  w'ent  to  work 
for  a  farmer  at  eighteen  dollars  per  year  and  his  clothing.  In 
accordance  witii  the  requirements  of  the  country  two  years  of  his 
early  manhood  were  spent  in  the  Swedish  army,  following  which 
he  again  engaged  in  farming.  The  hard  work  and  meager  wages 
and  apparent  hopelessness  of  advancement,  served  to  make  him 
most  discontented  with  his  lot  and  in  1852  he  emigrated  witii  wife 
and  family  to  the  United  States.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  country 
he  located  at  Andover,  Illinois,  where  for  some  years  thereafter 
he  w^orked  as  a  laborer.  By  reason  of  thrift  he  accumulated 
sufficient  means  to  enable  him  to  engage  in  farming,  and  he  tlien 
rented  a  place  which  he  operated  until  1875.  In  the  spring  of 
that  year  he  came  to  Webster  county,  and  rented  a  farm  in  Day- 
ton township.  The  next  year  he  removed  to  Grant  township, 
Boone  county,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUXTV  i89 

land,  which  he  cultivated  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life. 
There  he  passed  away  on  March  12,  1894,  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
seven,  his  natal  year  having  been  1817.  The  mother  is  still  liv- 
ing and  continues  to  make  her  home  on  the  old  farm  in  Boone 
county.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lundberg  numbered  thir- 
teen, as  follows:  John  A.  and  Jonas  A.,  both  deceased;  Charles 
Victor,  our  subject;  Gustaf  L.,  a  farmer  of  Clay  townshii),  tliis 
county;  Andrew  ^\'.,  deceased;  Frank  O.,  who  is  fanning  in 
Cooper  township,  Webster  county;  Christine  S..  the  wife  of  Gus 
Hemstrom,  a  farmer  of  Bertraml.  Nebraska :  Peter  O.  and  Han- 
nah, both  deceased ;  Theodore  L.,  who  is  a  farmer  of  Grant  town- 
ship; Edwin,  who  is  a  resident  of  Riverside,  California;  Emily, 
who  is  at  home  with  her  motlier ;  and  Gilbert,  who  died  in  infancy. 
The  family  always  attendetl  tlie  Swedish  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  the  father  was  a  member  while  tlie  mother  is  still  affiliated 
with  this  organization. 

The  first  fifteen  years  in  the  life  of  Charles  Victor  Lundberg 
were  passed  in  his  native  state,  to  whose  district  schools  he  is 
indebted  for  his  education.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he 
assisted  his  father  with  the  work  of.  the  farm  until  he  was  nine- 
teen, when  he  started  out  to  earn  his  own  living.  He  returned 
to  Illinois,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  a  year,  and  then 
came  back  to  Dayton  and  entered  the  employ  of  the  Chicago  & 
Northwestern  Railroad  as  a  construction  hand.  During  the  suc- 
ceeding two  years  he  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Dayton, 
but  at  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  accepted  a  position  as  clerk 
in  the  store  of  John  Lundeen  for  two  and  one-half  years. 

In  1886  he  entered  upon  a  clerkship  with  Samuel  Burnquist.  Sr. 
Mr.  Lundberg  continued  to  retain  his  position  until  the  death 
of  Mr.  Burnquist  in  1895.  He  then  liecamc  associated  with  J.  .\. 
Burnquist,  a  brother  of  his  former  employer,  and  together  they 
purchased  the  stock  from  the  heirs.  Five  years  later.  Mr.  Burn- 
quist sold  his  interest  in  the  business  to  his  nephew,  Samuel 
Burnquist,  Jr.,  who  is  still  in  partnership  with  Mr.  Lundberg. 
Their  establishment  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  successful 
commercial  enterprises  in  the  town,  and  is  favored  with  an  ex- 
cellent patronage.  The  store  is  operated  under  the  name  of  i'.urn- 
quist  &  Lundberg  and  is  conducted  in  accordance  with  a  policy 
that  has  won  them  the  confidence  of  the  entire  community.  They 
carry  a  large  and  varied  assortment  of  general  merchandise,  which 
they  ofTer  at  reasonable  prices,  and  as  their  goods  are  always 


190  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

found  to  be  exactly  as  represented  they  are  enjoying  a  gratifying 
trade.  Mr.  Lundberg  has  prospered  in  his  undertakings  and 
in  addition  to  his  interest  in  the  store  is  a  large  stockholder  in  the 
First  National  Bank  of  Dayton,  of  which  he  is  president. 

Mr.  Lundberg  ^as  married  on  the  i8th  of  October,  1893,  to 
Miss  Emma  M.  Peterson,  a  daughter  of  Nels  and  Christine  Peter- 
son, natives  of  Sweden.  The  father  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  in  his  early  manhood  and  located  in  Henry  county,  Illi- 
nois, and  there  for  several  years  he  farmed  as  a  renter.  Later 
he  came  to  Iowa,  purchasing  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Webster 
county,  and  as  his  circumstances  warranted  he  increased  his  hold- 
ings until  they  aggregated  four  hundred  acres.  F'or  many  years 
he  industriously  applied  himself  to  the  further  improvement  and 
cultivation  of  his  land  until  he  abandoned  active  farm  work  and 
removed  to  Dayton,  where  he  passed  away  in  November,  1906. 
Mr.  Peterson  was  married  twice,  his  second  union  being  with 
Mrs.  Caroline  Linderholni  of  Dayton.  Three  children  have  been 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lundberg,  as  follows:  Byron  Irwin,  who 
graduated  from  the  Dayton  high  school  with  the  class  of  191 1, 
living  at  home;  Frances  Irene,  who  is  attending  high  school; 
and  Esta  Mildred,  who  is  going  to  the  kindergarten. 

The  political  support  of  Mr.  Lundberg  is  accorded  to  the  re- 
publican party.  He  represented  his  ward  in  the  town  council 
for  six  years  and  since  September.  1903.  has  I)een  treasurer  of 
the  local  school  board.  He  is  one  of  the  intluential  and  prominent 
citizens  of  the  town,  where  his  long  and  successful  connection 
with  the  various  business  interests  has  proven  liim  to  I)e  a  man 
of  marked  capability.  His  career  has  not  been  distinguished  by 
any  extraordinary  or  spectacular  acliievcnicnt>  Init  it  lias  been 
characterized  by  steady  progress  and  substantial  development, 
giving  assurance  of  permanence  and  stability. 


THOMAS  K.  PETER.SOX. 

Thomas  K.  Peterson  is  a  native  of  Norway  but  has  l)een  in 
America  since  he  was  eight  years  of  age.  He  was  a  ])oy  of  fourteen 
when  he  came  to  Badger  township,  where  he  is  now  numbered 
among  the  well  known  and  representative  citizens.  During  the 
period  of  his  residence  here  he  has  been  identified  with  various  busi- 


HISTORY  OF  WEHSTER  COUNTY  191 

ness  enterprises  and  has  held  his  present  position  as  cashier  of  tlie 
Badger  Savings  Bank  since  1894.  proving  himself  during  that  time 
an  able  and  systematic  financier  and  an  honest,  upright  and  straight- 
forward man.  Mr.  Peterson  was  born  in  Norway,  August  6,  1868, 
and  is  a  son  of  Knud  and  Christina  (Ostius)  Peterson,  natives  of 
that  country.  The  father  farmed  in  Norway  until  1876,  when  he 
came  to  the  United  States,  settling  in  Champaign  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  purchased  land.  He  bought  eighty  acres  and  moved  upon 
his  property,  wliich  he  improved  and  operated  until  the  spring  of 
1882,  when  he  disposed  of  his  farm  and  came  to  Webster  county. 
Iowa,  where  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Badger 
township.  This  land  is  now  included  in  the  corporation  limits  of 
the  town  of  Badger  and  upon  it  the  father  of  our  subject  carried  on 
agricultural  pursuits  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  March,  1892. 
His  wife  survived  him  until  November,  1898. 

Thomas  Peterson  was  eight  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  America 
with  his  parents.  He  completed  an  education  begun  in  Norway  in 
the  public  schools  of  Champaign  county,  Illinois,  and  in  Badger 
township,  Webster  county,  finishing  his  studies  at  Highland  Park- 
College  in  Des  Moines.  When  he  had  completed  his  course  he 
returned  to  Badger  and  accepted  a  position  as  clerk  in  a  general 
store  belonging  to  H.  P.  Hanson  and  after  a  year's  activity  in  this 
capacity  purchased  a  half-interest  in  the  enteqirise.  For  two  years 
he  continued  this  identification,  after  which  he  accepted  his  present 
position  as  cashier  in  the  Badger  Savings  Bank.  In  that  capacity 
he  has  acted  with  increasing  success  since  1894  and  he  is  also  a 
stockholder  and  director  in  the  institution.  The  bank  is  the  only 
one  in  the  village  of  Badger.  It  was  organizetl  on  June  8,  1889, 
under  the  name  of  the  Bank  of  Badger,  which  title  was  later 
changed  to  the  State  Bank  of  P.adger.  In  1894  it  was  reorganized 
under  the  name  of  the  Badger  Savings  Bank  with  a  capital  stock 
of  ten  thousand  dollars,  which  in  191 1  was  increased  to  twenty- 
five  thousand  dollars.  Its  officers  at  the  i)resent  time  are:  C.  W. 
Maher,  president;  C.  Knudson.  vice  president;  and  T.  K.  Peter 
son,  cashier.  Mr.  Peterson  has  been  a  valuable  addition  to  the 
institution  with  which  he  is  connected,  i^v  he  understands  bank- 
ing thoroughly,  is  careful  and  conservative  but  at  the  same  time 
progressive,  and  his  individual  success  has  been  n  factor  in  the 
prosperity  of  the  bank. 

In  June,  1898,  Mr.  Peterson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  .Xde- 
\ine    Knudson,    a    daughter    of    Christopher    and    Anna     C\rcnt) 


192  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Knudson,  natives  of  Norway.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peterson  have  four 
children,  Kenneth  C,  Clara  A.,  Gladys  P.,  and  Lloyd  O.,  aged 
respectively  twelve,  eleven,  nine  and  six  j^ears. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Peterson  is  a  firm  republican  and 
has  been  active  in  local  affairs  since  he  took  up  his  residence  in 
Badger.  He  was  the  first  mayor  of  the  village,  in  which  capacity 
he  is  now  serving,  and  for  years  filled  the  office  of  secretary  of  the 
school  board,  laeing  at  the  present  time  treasurer  of  that  organiza- 
tion. He  belongs  to  the  Lutheran  church.  That  he  has  been 
successful  in  business  and  judicious  in  his  in\estments  is  evidenced 
by  the  fact  that  he  now  owns  his  father's  home  place  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  on  section  15,  Badger  township,  and  a  fine  dwelling 
in  the  village,  surrounded  by  twelve  acres  of  land.  He  is  also  the 
proprietor  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Clay  township  and 
is  managing  his  affairs  and  promoting  his  success  by  reason  of  his 
qualities  of  energy,  diligence  and  honesty,  characteristics  which  the 
United  States  welcomes  so  eagerly  in  its  adopted  citizens. 


JOHN  HANRAHAX. 


John  Hanrahan.  who  has  been  identified  with  various  business 
interests  in  Clare  and  Webster  counties  and  other  points,  was 
born  in  Ireland,  in  December,  1850.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and 
Bridget  (Morgan)  Hanrahan,  also  natives  of  the  Emerald  isle. 
The  family  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1864,  first  locating 
in  Pennsylvania.  From  there  they  removed  to  Dliljuque,  Iowa, 
and  after  fi\e  or  six  years  residence  in  the  latter  place  came  to 
Webster  county.  Here  the  father  made  iiis  home  with  his  chil- 
dren until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  iXcj;.  Tiie  motlier  passed 
away  in  1884. 

John  Hanrahan,  who  was  a  youth  of  fourteen  years  when  he 
accompanied  his  parents  to  America,  obtained  his  education  in 
his  native  land.  After  the  famih-  located  in  Dul)U(iue  lie  went 
to  work  on  the  railroad.  l)ut  was  later  emplox'ccl  on  a  steamer 
on  the  Mississippi.  Together  with  a  brother  he  subsecpiently 
engaged  in  railroad  contracting  for  five  years,  meeting  with  a 
good  measure  of  success.  He  and  his  brothers  next  purchased 
four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Jackson  townsJiip.  this 
county,  and  turned  their  attention  to  agricultiu-al  pursuits.     This 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  193 

farm  is  now  one  of  the  valuable  properties  of  Webster  county 
and  is  in  the  possession  of  the  family  of  one  of  the  Hanrahan 
brothers.  After  nine  years  of  cooperative  farming,  Mr.  Hanra- 
han disposed  of  his  interest  in  the  place  and  coming  to  Clare 
went  into  the  hotel  business.  He  followed  this  occupation  for 
seven  years,  and  then  engaged  in  the  saloon  business.  The  lat- 
ter enterprise  engaged  his  attention  for  fifteen  years,  at  the  e.K- 
piration  of  which  time  he  sold  out  and  opened  a  pool  room.  He 
is  still  conducting  the  latter  place  and  in  connection  with  it  sells 
soft  drinks  and  also  handles  cigars.  Mr.  Hanrahan  has  acquired 
extensive  realty  interests,  owning  farms  in  South  Dakota,  Canada 
and  Texas,  and  also  his  business  property,  a  fine  residence  and 
several   residence   lots  in   Clare. 

In  April,  1883,  Mr.  Hanrahan  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Mor- 
gan, a  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Mary  (  McXamara)  Morgan,  na- 
tives of  Ireland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanrahan  have  five  children: 
Morgan  J.,  who  is  a  practicing  attorney  of  Winnipeg,  Canada; 
Odessa  M.,  a  stenographer  in  Des  Moines;  Leo  M.  and  Char- 
lotte M.,  who  are  at  honic ;  and  James,  who  passed  away  in 
1902. 

The  family  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
and  fraternally  Mr.  Hanrahan  is  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of 
Columbus  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  is  a  democrat  in  politics  and  under 
Cleveland's  administration  served  for  four  years  as  postmaster. 
He  has  served  on  the  town  council  and  has  also  discharged  the 
duties  of  assessor  in  Jackson  township,  and  has  filled  the  office 
of  town  clerk.  Mr.  Ham-ahan  is  a  genial  man  of  generous  im- 
pulses and  has  many  friends  in  Clare  and  the  surrounding  country 
where  he  is  widely  known. 


W  n.I.I.\M  OLIVER  FORSBERCi. 

William  Oliver  Forsberg.  who  owns  and  operates  one  «»f  the 
fine.st  threshing  outfits  in  Webster  county,  has  passed  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  in  Dayton  township,  where  he  is  now  residing.  He 
was  born  in  Sweden  on  the  4tli  <'f  January,  1875,  and  is  a  son  of 
Peter  and  Martha  (Erickson)  F<.rsberg.  'l-fic  parents  were  born, 
reared  and  married  in  Sweden,  the  father's  nat.il  day  being  in 
,846  and  that  of  the  mother  in  ^f^^^.     Peter  I-orsberg.  who  was 


194  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

a  carpenter,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  family  in 
1880,  locating  in  Dayton.  Here  he  established  a  shop  and  con- 
tinued to  follow  his  trade  for  four  years.  In  the  spring  of  1884, 
he  removed  to  Bassett,  Rock  county,  Nebraska,  and  homesteaded 
a  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land.  He  did  not  survive  long  there- 
after, his  death  occurring  in  the  autumn  of  1884.  The  mother 
with  her  family  remained  on  the  farm  for  eight  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  that  time  she  rented  her  place  and  returned  to 
Dayton,  where  she  still  resides. 

As  he  was  only  a  child  of  five  \'ears  when  he  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  with  his  parents,  William  Oliver  Forsberg  has  but 
little  recollection  of -the  land  of  his  birth.  At  the  usual  age  he 
entered  the  public  schools  of  Dayton,  which  he  attended  until 
the  family  removed  to  Nebraska.  There  he  continued  his  studies 
during  the  winter  months  and  assisted  with  the  work  of  the  farm 
during  the  summer  until  he  was  seventeen.  In  1892  he  returned 
to  \\'ebster  county  with  his  mother,  who  located  in  Dayton.  Dur- 
ing the  succeeding  five  years  he  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand  and 
followed  such  other  pursuits  as  enabled  him  to  earn  an  honest 
living.  He  was  enterprising  and  thrifty  and  during  that  time 
he  managed  to  save  enough  from  his  earnings  to  enable  him  to 
purchase  a  half  interest  in  a  threshing  outfit.  Three  years  later 
he  bought  his  partner's  interest  in  the  business  and  has  ever 
since  been  alone.  As  he  is  a  capable  man,  and  thoroughly  de- 
pendable and  trustworthy,  he  has  built  up  a  very  good  business, 
and  now  operates  one  of  the  most  completely  equipped  outfits  in 
the  county. 

Mr.  Forsberg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Louise  Ek- 
lund.  a  daughter  of  Gustavus  A.  and  Josephine  Eklund  and  a 
native  of  Sweden.  The  parents  were  also  natives  of  Sweden, 
the  father's  birth  occurring  in  1853,  and  there  they  were  married. 
They  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1882,  settling  on  a  farm 
west  of  Dayton  in  Dayton  township.  There  the  mother  passed 
away  and  the  father  subse(]uently  went  to  northwestern  Iowa, 
locating  in  Palo  Alto  county,  where  he  farmed  as  a  renter  for 
six  years,  and  then  bought  eighty  acres  of  excellent  land.  He 
has  ever  since  devoted  his  energies  to  the  further  improvement 
and  cultivation  of  this  place  and  now  owns  a  valuable  and  at- 
tractive farm.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fors- 
berg.  as   follows:     Wihner,   Mikhen.   Melvin.   ( iladys   and   Chester. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  195 

Mr.  Forsberg  is  a  member  of  Dayton  Camp.  M.  W.  A.,  and 
votes  the  republican  ticket.  He  is  one  of  the  progressive  citizens 
of  Dayton  township,  wiiere  his  diligence  and  energetic  methods 
and  his  reliabiHty  in  matters  of  business  fully  entitle  him  to  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  liis  crimmunitv. 


SVEXD  P.  SWANSOX. 

Svend  P.  Swanson.  who  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  on  an  eighty  acre  tract  of  land  located  on  section  y  of 
Dayton  township,  was  born  in  Xorthern  Gilland,  Denmark,  on 
the  i6th  of  September,  1858.  He  is  a  son  of  Peter  and  Magda- 
line  (Ciiristensen)  Swanson,  likewise  natives  of  Denmark,  where 
for  many  years  the  father  engaged  in  farming.  Me  is  still  liv- 
ing on  the  old  home  place,  but  the  mother  passed  away  in  191 1. 
The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swanson  numbered  twelve,  as  fol- 
lows: Annie,  who  is  at  home  with  her  father  in  Denmark;  Kris- 
ten,  the  wife  of  Tom  Larson,  a  farmer  in  Virginia;  Hannah,  de- 
ceased; Christina,  the  widow  of  Peter  Morris,  of  Council  P.lutTs, 
Iowa;  Svend  P.,  our  subject:  Andrew,  wlm  is  a  resident  of  Mis- 
souri Valley,  Iowa;  ]\linnie,  who  married  H.  P.  Johnson,  a  farmer 
of  Kearney  county,  X'ebraska :  Lawrence,  a  farmer  of  Harrist)n 
county,  Iowa;  Trena,  who  married  James  Morris,  a  merchant 
and  the  postmaster  in  Stork,  Minnesota;  Knute.  who  died  in 
the  Danish  army ;  and  two  children,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Svend  P.  Swanson  was  reared  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born 
and  educated  in  the  schools  of  the  vicinity.  He  assisted  his  fatiier 
in  tilling  the  fields  and  caring  f(^r  the  crops  until  he  was  twenty- 
two  years  of  age,  when  he  decided  that  the  future  held  but  little 
promise  for  him  in  his  native  land  and  resolved  to  come  to 
America.  ,He  had  several  sisters  living  in  the  United  States,  so  in 
1880  he  took  passage  for  this  country,  with  Council  Bluffs.  Iowa, 
as  his  destination.  Soon  after  his  arrival  there  he  ..bt.iined  work 
on  a  farm,  where  he  was  employed  for  four  years.  .\t  the  expira- 
tion of  that  time  he  returned  to  Council  Bluffs  and  worked  in  a 
restaurant  for  two  years.  He  was  next  employed  as  a  coachman, 
but  he  gave  this  up  five  years  later  and  went  to  Washington. 
He  followed  various  pursuits  there  for  two  years,  then  returned 
to  Council  Pduffs  and  worke.l   f..r  a  year.     In    1S04  he  went  to 


196  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Harrison  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  a  farm  comprising  eighty 
acres  and  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  met 
with  very  good  success  in  the  cultivation  of  his  land,  but  he 
rented  his  place  in  1898  and  came  to  Webster  county,  Iowa.  Here 
he  subsequently  bought  his  present  place  on  section  9  of  Dayton 
township.  This  also  consists  of  eighty  acres,  all  of  which  is  under 
cultivation  and  in  a  high  state  of  productivity.  Mr.  Swanson  is 
a  very  enterprising  man  of  progressive  methods  as  is  manifested 
by  the  well  kept  appearance  of  his  farm  and  the  e.xcellent  condi- 
tion of  his  stock.  He  uses  good  judgment  in  the  direction  of  his 
activities  and  gives  his  personal  supervision  to  every  detail  con- 
nected with  the  operation  of  his  farm,  and  as  a  result  there  is 
a  general  air  of  thrift  and  prosperity  about  the  place  that  sug- 
gests capable  and  efficient  management.  As  his  circumstances 
have  warranted  he  has  improved  his  farm  and  in  191 1,  he  erected 
an  attractive  and  comfortable  residence  and  a  large,  substantial 
barn,  both  equipped  with  all  modern  appointments.  He  is  the 
owner  of  one  of  the  most  valua1)le  ])roperties  in  the  comnnuiity 
and  is  numbered  among  the  prosperous  and  substantial  citizens 
of  Dayton  township. 

On  the  24th  of  May,  1894,  Mr.  Swanson  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Emma  Swansen,  the  event  being  celebrated  at  Lo- 
gan, Iowa.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Johan  Peter  and  I^Iarie  (Mun- 
son)  Swansen.  The  father  is  deceased  Init  the  mother  makes 
her  home  in  Dayton.  Mr.  Swansen  was  born  at  Hvetlanda 
Parish,  Sweden.  September  11.  1828.  and  there  he  was  married 
in  the  fall  of  1834  to  Miss  Munson.  It  was  his  desire  to  become 
a  citizen  of  the  L'nitcd  States  and  on  the  14th  of  September.  1868, 
together  with  his  eldest  son  he  took  passage  for  the  United 
States.  He  worked  diligently  during  the  succeeding  two  years, 
and  in  1870  sent  for  the  other  members  of  his  family.  Upon 
their  arrival  he  located  at  Altona,  Illinois,  where  he  resided  until 
i88j,  when  he  removed  to  Dayton  township,  and  engaged  in 
farming.  In  1898,  he  retired  to  Dayton  and  there  he  passed  away 
on  the  t.4th  of  April,  1900.  Mrs.  Swanson.  who  was  a  child  of 
seven  years  when  she  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  her 
mother,  was  the  fifth  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  born  to  her 
parents,  the  others  being  as  follows:  Sojihia  and  Christina,  both 
of  whom  are  deceased;  Johan,  who  is  a  resident  of  California: 
Caroline,  who  is  deceased ;  Marie,  of  Dayton :  AVilliam  T..  who 
is  living  on  the  old  homestead  in  Dayton  township:  and  Charles 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  197 

F.,  also  deceased.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Swauson  liave  one  child,  l-"lor- 
ence,  whose  birth  occurred  on  tlie  31st  of  March,  1895.  She  has 
been  a  student  in  the  puJilic  scliools  of  Dayton  for  the  past  cis^lit 
years  and  graduated  from  the  high  school  in  June,  191 2. 

Fraternally,  Mr.  Swanson  l)elongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America,  and  his  political  support  he  gives  to  such  men  and 
measures  as  he  deems  best  c|ualified  to  subserxc  the  highest  in- 
terests of  the  community.  He  is  now  serving  his  tenth  year  as 
school  director.  Mr.  Swanson  has  led  a  (|uiet,  unobtrusive  life, 
but  his  untiring  diligence  and  his  faithful  discliarge  of  all  the 
duties  and  responsibilities  of  citizenship,  as  well  as  the  integrity 
and  high  principles  he  has  manifested  in  his  business  transac- 
tions, has  won  him  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  entire  com- 
nninitv. 


ALVIX  EMERSO.X   ll-.X  .\".\XT. 

Alvin  Emerson  Tennant.  wlm  has  been  a  resident  of  hurt  Dodge 
for  more  than  a  third  of  a  century,  lives  at  Xo.  ijjo  Central  ave- 
nue and  has  been  in  the  service  of  the  CJleson  Drug  Company  as 
bookkeeper  for  about  twenty-six  years.  His  birth  occurred  in 
Xew  .Milford,  Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  291)1  of 
March,  1840,  his  parents  being  W  illi.im  W  .  and  I'lioebe  (Lewis) 
Tennant.  The  father  was  born  in  Rhode  Island  on  the  24th  of 
fanuary,  1804,  while  the  mother's  birth  occurred  in  Hartford, 
Connecticut,  on  the  24th  of  June.  iSoS.  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Oliver 
Tennant,  the  paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject,  lucd  to  a 
ripe  old  age.  Their  children  included  Oliver,  William,  Abigail, 
Merrily,  Nancy  and  Frances.  The  maternal  grandfather  was  a 
sea  captain  and  met  his  death  while  at  sea  in  early  manhood.  His 
wife,  Mrs.  Marv  Lewis,  passetl  away  in  Sus<|iiehanna  county. 
Pennsylvania.  Their  children  iiuhuld  Thurston,  Lebeaus.  Ko],- 
inson,  Joseph,  Phoebe,  Sallic  and  Mary. 

William  \Y.  Tennant,  the  father  of  Alvin  E.  Tennant,  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  In  early  manhood  he  went  to  i'cnnsylva- 
nia,  purchased  two  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  timber  lan.l  in 
Susquehanna  county,  cleared  an<l  imi-rovcd  the  properly  and 
reared  his  family  thereon.  In  1K67  he  and  his  wife  came  to  Web- 
ster county,  Iowa,  and  here  they  spent  the  remain.ler  of  their 


198  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

lives,  passing  away  in  Burnside  township.  Mr.  Tennant  died  on 
the  22d  of  September,  1879,  when  more  than  seventy-five  years 
old,  and  his  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  1883  at  the  age  of 
seventy-five.  Both  were  devoted  members  of  the  Baptist  church. 
To  them  were  born  seven  sons,  as  follows:  Orange  \\'.  and 
George  W.,  both  of  whom  are  deceased;  John  A\'.,  a  resident  of 
Webster  county,  Iowa;  Lewis  W.,  living  in  New  ]\Iilford,  Penn- 
sylvania; Alvin  Emerson,  of  this  review;  William  Rile3^  of  Fort 
Dodge ;  and  Austin  D. 

Alvin  Emerson  Tennant  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in 
Susquehanna  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education.  In  i860  he  re- 
moved westward  to  Lee  county,  Illinois,  and  there  was  engaged 
as  a  farm  hand  for  one  year,  on  the  expiration  of  which  period 
he  worked  on  the  Mississippi  river.  In  the  fall  of  1863  he  re- 
turned to  Illinois  and  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army  of  tiie 
Civil  war,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  C,  Seventh  Illinois 
Cavalry,  and  remaining  at  the  front  to  the  time  of  the  cessation 
of  hostilities.  He  enlisted  as  a  private  and  was  detailed  as  a 
clerk  under  Colonel  Flint  at  General  Palmer's  headquarters  in 
Louisville,  Kentucky,  where  he  was  honorably  discharged.  After 
the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  followed  farming 
in  Lee  county  until  1867,  when  he  came  to  Iowa,  settling  near 
Burnside.  He  afterward  spent  three  years  in  Nebraska  liut  since 
1878  he  has  made  his  home  in  Fort  Dodge.  He  has  been  con- 
nected with  the  Oleson  Drug  Company  in  the  capacity  of  book- 
keeper for  aliout  twenty-six  years.  His  long  retention  in  the  em- 
ploy of  this  firm  is  unmistakalile  evidence  of  liis  aliility.  fidelity 
and  trustworthiness.  He  formerly  was  in  tiie  service  of  tiie 
Fort  Dodge  National  Bank  for  several  years. 

As  a  companion  and  helpmate  on  the  journey  of  life  Mr. 
Tennant  chose  Miss  Eva  M.  Tripp,  who  was  I)orn  at  .\mlioy, 
Illinois,  on  the  iith  of  Septeml)er,  i85().  her  parents  l)eing  Ralph 
O.  and  Satirah  fPowell)  Trijip.  natives  of  New  York  and  To- 
ronto, Canada,  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Tripp,  the  pa- 
ternal grandparents  of  Mrs.  Tennant,  had  the  following  children : 
Ralph,  David,  Hannah,  Lorette,  Philosia  and  Laura.  Her  ma- 
ternal grandparents,  William  and  Catharine  Ann  Powell,  lived  to 
reach  the  ages  of  sixty-five  and  ninety-eight  years  respectively. 
Their  children  were  five  in  number.  Satirah.  James,  Marv.  Eliza 
and  Maria.     Ralph  O.  Tripp  was  taken  to  Illinois  when  but  four 


HISTORY  Ul"  WEUSTER  COLXTY 


199 


years  of  age,  and  his  wife  was  a  maiden  of  fourteen  years  when 
she  took  up  her  abode  in  that  state.  They  came  to  Iowa  about 
1868.  Ralph  O.  Tripp  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  during- 
the  period  of  the  Civil  war  served  as  a  private  in  an  Illinois  resi- 
ment  for  nearly  two  years,  being  mustered  out  at  tiie  close  of 
hostilities.  His  demise  occurred  at  Liscoml),  Iowa,  in  1898. 
when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  sixty-six  years,  while  his  wife 
was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  1884  at  the  age  of  forty-eight 
years.  Mrs.  Tennant,  who  is  their  only  child,  is  the  mother  of 
six  children,  Inez  RI.,  Blanche  .M..  Alvin  l-'.ari,  W-ra.  .Marie  and 
Ralph. 

Alvin  Emerson  Tennant  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the 
republican  party  and  fraternally  is  identified  with  the  Ancient 
Order  of  United  Workmen.  He  retains  pleasant  relations  with 
his  old  army  conn-ades  through  his  membership  in  Fort  Donelson 
Post,  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tennant  and  five  of  their  children 
are  members  of  the  Christian  church.  The  ]iarents  have  a  host 
of  warm  friends  throughout  the  community  and  justly  merit  the 
regard  and  esteem  which  is  uniforndv  accorded   them. 


ALBERT  EDWARD  ACKER,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Acher  is  one  of  the  thoroughly  prepared  and  successful 
physicians  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in 
the  general  practice  of  his  profession  since  January  i,  1907.  He 
was  born  near  Napoleon,  Indiana,  November  23,  1878,  and  is  a 
son  of  John  and  Martha  Magdalene  (Flick)  Acher.  The  fath.er 
was  a  native  of  Prussia,  Germany,  and  emigrated  to  America  iu 
1859,  settling  first  in  Minnesota,  where  he  was  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. At  the  opening  of  the  Civil  war  he  answered  the  call  of  his 
adopted  country  to  defend  the  flag  of  the  Union  and  enlisted  in 
the  Minnesota  volunteer  infantry  for  the  entire  period  of  the 
war.  At  the  close  of  that  great  civil  conflict  he  was  honorably 
discharged  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Minnesota,  from  which 
he  later  mo\ed  to  Napoleon.  Indiana,  where  he  purchased  land 
located  near  that  city  and  on  that  j)ro|)erty  followed  farming 
until  the  close  of  his  life,  which  occurred  in  \SH(}.  His  widow 
remained  with  her  children  on  the  farm  until  189J.  when  she 
established  her  residence  in  Napoleon,  where  she  now  resides. 


200  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Dr.  Acher  was  reared  at  home  and  received  liis  early  education 
in  the  public  schools  of  the  district  in  which  he  lived,  and  was 
graduated  from  the  Napoleon  high  school  with  the  class  of  1894. 
During  his  years  as  a  student  in  the  public  schools  he  prepared 
himself  for  teaching  and  for  three  years  was  engaged  in  that 
work  in  Webster  county  in  the  district  near  his  home.  Indus- 
trious and  economical  in  his  habits,  he  was  able  to  save  a  sutificient 
sum  with  which  to  pursue  for  one  year  a  literary  course  in  the 
State  University  of  Indiana  and  later  he  took  up  the  study  of 
medicine  in  the  medical  department  of  that  university,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  (regular)  in  the 
class  of  1905.  Immediately  following  his  graduation  he  served 
for  one  year  as  interne  in  the  Deaconess  Hospital  in  Indianapolis. 
He  then  made  his  first  location  as  a  practicing  physician  at  Xora, 
not  far  from  Indianapolis,  where  he  remained  for  si.x  months, 
after  which  he  came  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa.  On  January  i,  1907, 
he  opened  an  office  in  the  Reynolds  block  on  Central  avenue  and 
there  engaged  in  the  general  practice  of  his  profession.  When 
the  new  First  National  Bank  building  was  completed  he  removed 
his  offices  to  more  suitable  rooms  which  he  found  located  at 
Nos.  511  and  512  in  that  building,  at  which  place  he  has  since  re- 
mained. The  ofifices  contain  every  convenience  suited  to  the  prac- 
tice of  his  j)rofession.  having  a  well  appointed  reception  room  which 
is  jointly  used  by  the  subject  of  this  review  and  Dr.  W.  K.  Bates. 
In  the  ])raclice  of  medicine  at  Fort  Dodge,  Dr.  Acher  has  met  with 
well  merited  success  and  has  already  taken  a  prominent  i)lace  among 
his  brother  practitioners  in  the  field. 

In  June,  1906,  Dr.  Acher  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Marna 
Pierson,  a  daughter  of  John  C.  and  .Martha  J.  (  b'owler)  Pierson, 
the  former  of  German  descent  and  a  native  of  Pennsvlvania.  and 
the  latter  a  native  of  Ohio.  The  father  was  engaged  in  the  con- 
tracting and  building  business  and  for  many  years  was  one  of  the 
best  known  contractors  of  Indianapolis.  In  that  city  he  has 
erected  some  of  the  largest  business  blocks  and  many  of  the 
buildings  which  now  helj)  to  adorn  and  make  l)eautiful  the  capital 
city  of  Indiana.  He  was  also  the  builder  of  the  famous  Tom 
Taggart  Hotel  at  French  Lick,  Indiana.  His  death  occurred  in 
Indianapolis  in  May.  1910.  and  his  widow  still  maintains  her 
residence  in  that  city.  To  Dr.  and  Mrs.  .'\cher  three  children 
were  born:    John   Chandler,   born   May    ig.    1907;   Martha  Jane. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  l>()1 

who  was  born  February   i,   1909,  and  ditnl   May   .'3,    1910;  and 
Chiron  Chester,  born  January  9,  1912. 

Dr.  Acher  is  a  member  of  the  Webster  County  Medical  So- 
ciety, of  which  he  is  serving  his  first  term,  as  president,  and  also 
belongs  to  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Society  and  the  American 
Medical  Association.  He  is  affiliated  with  the  democratic  party, 
and  fraternally  is  a  member  of  Ashlar  Lodge,  No.  iii,  F.  &  A. 
M.,  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  also  belongs  to  the  Fort  Dodge  Lodge. 
No.  248,  A.  O.  U.  \\'.,  also  the  lodge  of  the  Loyal  Order  of 
Moose,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Sons  of  Herman.  Dr.  Aclier  is 
already  recognized  as  one  of  the  successful  physicians  of  Fort 
Dodge  and  he  has  long  since  gained  the  respect  of  the  citizens 
of  that  place  and  is  looked  upon  as  one  of  the  reliable  and  desir- 
able members  of  the  community  in  which  he  lives.  The  home  of 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Acher  is  located  at  No.  708  North  Sixteenth  street 
and  here  their  many  friends  are  always  assured  of  a  cordial 
greeting. 


E.  T.  DAVIDSON. 


E.  T.  Davidson,  who  has  been  the  incumbent  of  the  office  of 
postmaster  in  Duncombe  for  the  past  three  years,  was  born  in 
Hamilton  county,  this  state,  on  the  29th  of  April,  1877.  He  is 
a  son  of  Thomas  and  Isabelle  Davidson,  natives  of  Norway.  The 
father  came  to  the  United  States  in  1866,  first  locating  in  Illi- 
nois, where  he  worked  out  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand  for  live 
years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  continued  his  journey  westward 
to  Iowa,  settling  in  Hamilton  county.  After  engaging  in  farm- 
ing there  as  a  renter  for  several  years,  he  removed  witii  his 
family  to  Webster  county  and  here  he  has  ever  since  lived. 
Shortly  after  his  arrival  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Colfa.x 
township,  diligently  applying  himself  to  its  further  improvement 
anfl  cultivation  until  1909.  In  the  latter  year  he  disposed  of  his 
farm  and  he  and  the  mother  removed  to  Duncombe. 

E.  T.  Davidson  was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  educated 
in  the  common  schools.  .\s  usual  with  lads  living  in  the  country 
he  was  early  trained  to  agricultural  pursuits,  remaining  at  home 
and  assisting  his  father  with  the  operation  of  the  home  place 
until   it   was   sold.      More    and    more   of   the    responsibility   con- 


202  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

nected  with  its  cultivation  devolved  upon  him  until  several  years 
before  coming  to  town  he  had  entire  charge  of  the  property. 
Soon  after  they  located  in  Duncombe  he  was  appointed  post- 
master and  is  still  serving  in  that  capacitj',  having  proven  to  be 
a  competent  and  efficient  man  for  the  office. 

In  October,  1904,  Mr.  Davidson  was  married  to  Miss  Jessie 
Nelson,  a  daughter  of  X.  J.  and  Mary  Nelson  and  to  them  have 
been  born  two  children:  Mae.  who  is  six  years  of  age;  and 
Curtis,  who  has  passed  the  second  anniversarj'  of  his  birth.  The 
family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church. 

Mr.  Davidson  votes  the  republican  ticket,  and  has  served  as 
clerk  of  Colfax  township,  while  residing  there,  and  is  now  secre- 
tary of  the  school  board.  He  owns  his  residence  and  is  one  of 
the  stockholders  and  \  ice  president  of  the  Farmers  Savings 
Bank  of  Duncombe,  one  of  the  well  established  and  thriving 
financial  institutions  of  the  county.  Mr.  Davidson  is  well  liked 
by  the  citizens  of  the  community  generally,  as  he  is  gracious  and 
accommodating  and  satisfactorily  meets  the  many  demands  on 
his  office. 


EDWARD   KENDALL. 


Edward  Kendall,  who  is  living  retired  in  Badger,  has  been  for 
many  years  prominently  connected  with  the  agricultural  and 
business  development  of  the  section  in  which  he  resides  and  is 
an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  war.  He  has  been  enterprising, 
straightforward  and  honorable  in  all  relations  of  his  life  and  de- 
serves the  rest  which  he  is  enjoying  because  he  has  earned  it 
by  diligent  and  long-continued  labor.  He  was  born  in  Ashby, 
Massachusetts,  April  19,  1841,  and  is  a  son  of  John  E.  and  Laura 
A.  (Kendall)  Kendall,  natives  of  that  state.  The  father  was 
a  carpenter  by  trade  and  spent  his  entire  life  engaged  in  that 
occupation  in  Massachusetts.  He  died  in  Ashby  in  1903,  having 
long  survived  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in   1841. 

Edward  Kendall  pursued  his  studies  in  the  public  schools  of 
his  native  city,  continuing  his  education  there  until  he  was  nine 
years  of  age.  At  that  time  he  left  home  in  order  to  live  w-ith  an 
uncle  in  Peru.  Illinois,  where  he  resumed  his  lessons.  In  1856 
our  subject's  Uncle  Bradford  Kendall  moved  to  Otho  township 


KnWAKI)   KKNDALL 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  205 

— buying-  a  quarter  of  a  section  and  lived  tliere  three  years.  The 
uncle  then  returned  to  Peru,  but  our  subject  remained  and  worked 
as  a  farm  hand.  At  Fort  Dodge  on  August  20,  1861,  Edward  Ken- 
dall enlisted  in  Company  A.,  Eleventh  Volunteer  Cavalry,  and 
served  for  three  years  and  two  months,  taking  part  in  various  im- 
portant engagements.  He  was  shot  in  the  right  leg  at  South  .\nna 
Bridge,  eight  miles  from  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  so  seriously 
disabled  that  he  is  troubled  by  his  wound  at  tlie  present  time. 
On  October  20,  1864.  he  received  his  discharge  and  returned  to 
Iowa  and  worked  as  a  fireman  on  the  Chicago  &  Northwestern 
Railroad  for  a  year,  going  at  the  end  of  that  time  to  Fort  Dodge, 
where  he  drove  a  stage  for  some  time.  He  later  obtained  employ- 
ment by  the  month  as  a  farm  laborer,  being  active  in  this  capacity 
for  several  vears  before  he  was  able  to  rent  land.  This  he  eventu- 
ally did  and  followed  farming  in  this  way  for  two  years.  .\t  the 
end  of  that  time  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land  in  Newark  township  and  began  its  cultivation.  He  farmed 
along  the  most  progressive  and  systematic  lines,  improving  his 
property  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  erecting  new  buildings  and 
mstalling  modern  machinery.  He  remained  uixm  this  tract  of 
land  until  1890,  when  he  sold  his  holdings  and  moved  to  Badger, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  buying  and  selling  of  horses,  .\fter 
eleven  years  of  activity  along  this  line  he  retired  but  still  makes 
his  home  in  Badger,  where  he  owns  a  comfortable  and  attractive 
residence  and  has  many  acquaintances  and  friends. 

Mr.  Kendall,  has  been  twice  married.  In  187.^  he  wedded  Miss 
Clara  Kitchen  and  they  became  the  parents  of  one  child.  Myrtle, 
who  was  burned  to  death  in  Chicago  in  September.  1907,  the 
accident  being-  caused  by  the  ex])losion  of  a  gasoline  stove.  Mr. 
Kendall's  first  wife  passed  away  in  1878  and  on  l)ecend)er  4. 
i88j,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  .Miss  Lucretia  Roy.  a  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Mary  (  Rudman )  Roy.  the  former  a  native  of 
Scotland  and  the  latter  of  Indiana.  The  father  was  a  shoemaker 
by  trade  and  came  to  this  country  when  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  settling  in  Indiana  and  later  in  Iowa,  where  he  followed 
his  chosen  occupation  at  .\lgona.  Sul)sequently  he  moved  to 
Livermore  and  after  many  years'  residence  in  that  city  finally 
established  himself  in  Rolfe,  where  he  died  in  1897.  having  sur- 
vived his  wife  by  ten  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs,  Kendall  have  four 
children:     Laura,    who    married     Clarcr.c;-     Thompson,     a     fanner 


206  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

of  Badger  township;  and  Frank  E..  Edna  G.  and  \'erne  D.,  all  of 
whom  are  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Kendall  is  a  republican  in  his  political  beliefs  and  has  served 
with  ability  and  conscientiousness  as  a  member  of  the  village 
council.  He  was  assessor  of  Newark  township  for  some  time 
and  also  acted  as  school  director.  He  is  an  adherent  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  a  member  of  Fort  Donelson  Post,  G.  .A. 
R.,  being  numbered  among  the  worthv  and  honored  x'eterans  of 
the  war  of  the  Rebellion. 


WILLIAM  BARROW  MAN. 

\\  illiam  Barrowman  is  one  of  the  well  known  merchants  of 
Lehigh,  Iowa,  of  which  city  he  has  been  a  resident  since  1881. 
He  was  born  near  Glasgow,  Scotland,  June  4,  1841,  and  in  his 
native  land  received  his  early  education.  He  emigrated  to  Amer- 
ica in  1869  and  settled  first  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  he 
took  up  work  as  foreman  of  a  coal  mine.  He  later  removed 
to  Lehigh,  Iowa,  and  at  once  engaged  in  coal  mining  with  the 
Crooked  Creek  Coal  Company.  Afterward  he  owned  and  oper- 
ated a  coal  mine  of  his  own  for  a  time  and  later  leased  a  mine  from 
the  Crooked  Creek  Coal  Company.  He  subsequently  retired  from 
mining  and  established  himself  in  the  restaurant  business,  where 
the  town  hall  now  stands,  in  Lehigh.  He  remained  in  that  loca- 
tion in  business  until  the  time  of  the  great  hre  at  Lehigh,  which 
destroyed  all  of  the  business  houses  in  that  part  of  the  town,  and 
he  then  removed  to  the  west  side  of  the  town  and  located  at  a 
point  half  way  up  West  Hill  and  there  conducted  a  restaurant 
until  he  had  completed  a  new  brick  building  on  the  site  of  his 
original  location.  In  the  new  building  he  opened  a  general  mer- 
cantile store,  to  which  he  ga\e  his  attention  for  two  years,  after 
which  time  he  sold  the  Iniilding  to  the  town  for  the  purpose  of  a 
town  hall.  He  then  purchased  his  present  store,  which  is  lo- 
cated on  the  summit  of  the  West  Side  Hill,  opposite  the  new 
high  school  building.  The  property  was  formerly  known  as  Silas 
Smith's  old  store.  In  that  property  the  sul^ject  of  this  review  has 
since  successfully  conducted  a  general  merchandising  establish- 
ment. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  207 

Mr.  Barrowmaii  was  tirst  nianioil  in  Scotland  to  Miss  Chris- 
tiana White,  and  they  were  the  parents  of  thirteen  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  living,  Christiana,  Jane,  Margaret,  William,  David, 
Robert  and  Charley.  The  mother  of  this  family  died  at  the  age 
of  forty-five  years  and  was  buried  in  Otho  cemetery.  The  father 
was  later  married  to  Mrs.  Constance  (Bennett)  Retallick,  who 
was  the  widow  of  John  Retallick  and  a  daughter  of  John  and 
Constance  (Dunstan)  Bennett,  who  were  natives  of  England. 
Mrs.  Barrownian  Ijy  her  first  husband  is  the  mother  of  one  child. 
John  C.  Retallick.  and  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barrowman  one  child 
has  been  born,  Hypatia  Barrowman.  Mr.  Barrowman  has  served 
as  mayor  of  Lehigh  for  several  terms  but  for  the  past  twenty-live 
years  he  has  been  at  heart  a  socialist  and  not  interested  in  present 
political  issues  as  advocated  Ijy  the  old  political  parties.  He  was 
one  of  the  early  pioneers  of  Lehigh,  having  settled  in  that  town 
at  a  time  when  the  entire  mercantile  business  was  conducted  from 
three  small  stores,  one  of  which  was  located  on  the  east  side  and 
two  on  the  west  side  of  the  river,  and  the  bridge  to  connect  the 
two  parts  of  the  town  had  just  been  completed.  Since  his  resi- 
dence in  Lehigh  he  has  always  enjoyed  the  good-will  and  esteem 
of  his  fellow  citizens  and  is  a  man  who  has  always  identified  him- 
self with  every  public  measure  intended  to  advance  the  business 
and  educational  interests  of  the  citv  in  which  he  lives. 


.\.  .\i.  I)a\\i.i-;y. 


A.  M.  Dawley  was  the  builder  uf  the  tirst  frame  house  in  Fort 
Dodge  and  with  the  history  of  the  city  in  its  upbuilding  and  devel- 
opment he  was  closely  associated  as  the  years  passed  on.  He 
saw  the  possibilities  here  and  utilized  them  not  only  for  his  own 
benefit  but  for  the  welfare  of  the  community  at  large.  an<l  his 
name  i."!,  therefore,  inseparably  interwoven  with  the  reconis  of 
Webster  county.  He  was  born  in  Chiliicotlu-,  ( )hi(),  .March  n). 
1830,  and  was  one  of  a  family  of  three  sons  and  a  daughter,  whose 
parents  were  Thomas  and  Eliza  CHook)  Dawley,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  was  a  merchant  and  was 
identified  with  commercial  interests  in  Virginia  until  he  deter- 
mined to  remove  to  Ohio,  liecoming  one  of  the  earU'  settlers  of 
the  latter  state.     In  pioneer  times  he  would  raft  his  goods  down 


208  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  to  New  Orleans  and  he  lost  his 
life  while  on  one  of  those  trips  when  his  children  were  very 
small.  His  wife  survived  him  many  years  and  it  was  in  the  late 
'60s  wiien  slie  was  called  to  her  final  rest.  Their  children  were 
John,  Thomas,  A.  M.  and  Catharine  Dawley. 

A.  M.  Dawley  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his  native  state  and 
supplemented  his  early  education  acquired  in  the  public  schools 
by  a  course  in  Mann  College,  being  graduated  from  the  law 
department.  Aljout  1852  he  removed  to  Granville.  Illinois,  and 
in  February,  1855,  was  there  married.  In  March,  of  the  same 
year,  he  brought  his  bride  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Fort  Dodge.  He 
brought  with  him  a  stock  of  dry  goods  and  opened  a  store  in  a 
log  cabin  a  block  west  of  the  present  site  of  the  Duncombe  Hotel, 
which  was  also  his  ])lace  of  residence  for  a  few  weeks.  He  built 
the  first  frame  house  in  Fort  Dodge  on  the  present  site  of  the 
Duncombe  Hotel,  hauling  the  lumber  from  Boone.  The  family 
occupied  that  place  for  about  two  years  and  afterward  the  house 
was  moved  to  the  eastern  outskirts  of  the  town,  where  it  still 
stands.  It  was  later  found,  while  excavating  for  another  build- 
ing, that  the  house  originally  stood  on  an  Indian  graveyard,  which 
was  not  known,  however,  at  the  time,  but  in  excavating  many 
bones  of  the  Indians  were  exhumed.  In  1857  Mr.  Dawley  erected 
a  large  brick  residence  where  the  K.  C.  building  now  stands  and 
following  his  demise  his  widow  built  a  large  frame  residence  ad- 
joining. He  passed  away  in  1885  and  this  frame  building  was 
erected  in  1886.  It  now  stands  on  South  Tenth  street,  just  south 
of  the  Wahconsa  Hotel. 

It  was  on  the  8th  of  February,  1853.  that  Mr.  Dawley  was 
married  to  Miss  Ellen  Parker,  who  was  liorn  in  Calais,  Maine. 
March  31,  1833,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Charles  and  Susan  (White) 
Parker.  Her  father  was  born  in  Livermorc.  Maine,  and  was  a 
son  of  James  and  Phoebe  Parker,  the  former  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolutionary  war.  In  his  family  there  were  eight  children, 
namely:  James,  Jesse,  Simon,  Charles,  Benjamin,  Xancy,  Sarah 
and  Phoebe.  Dr.  Charles  Parker  was  for  many  years  a  practicing 
physician  at  Calais,  Maine.  He  afterward  removed  to  Houghton, 
Maine,  and  sul)sec|ucntly  lived  at  Shickshinny,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  died  in  1882,  when  more  than  seventy  years  of  age.  His 
wife  had  passed  away  in  1835,  when  in  young  womanhood.  They 
were  members  of  the  Universalist  church  and  they  had  two  chil- 
dren,  the   elder   daughter  being  Augusta,   the   wife   of   Horatio 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  209 

Sprague,  now  a  resident  of  I'rairie  \'ie\v.  Kansas.  To  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dawley  were  born  four  sons,  l-rank.  the  eldest,  is  an  able 
lawyer  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa.  He  married  Margaret  Elizabeth 
Jacobs,  of  Fort  Dodge,  and  they  have  four  children,  Fred,  Cath- 
arine, Marion  and  i'rances.  Ciiarles,  the  second  son  of  the  family, 
is  a  court  reporter  of  Chicago.  He  married  Renette  E.  Love,  of 
DeKalb,  Illinois,  and  they  have  a  daughter,  Helen.  Fred,  the 
third  of  the  family,  died  at  the  age  of  six  years.  Harry  passed 
away  at  Tucson,  Arizona,  when  thirty-six  years  of  age. 

The  death  of  the  husljand  and  father  occurred  in  Washington, 
D.  C,  on  the  24th  of  February,  1885,  when  he  was  about  fifty-rive 
}'ears  of  age.  He  and  his  wife  had  traveled  life's  journey  happily 
together  for  about  thirty  years.  They  held  membership  in  the 
Lniversalist  church  and  always  displayed  sterling  qualities  of 
character,  yir.  Dawley  was  the  first  justice  of  the  peace  in  Fort 
Dodge  and  was  appointed  register  of  the  United  States  land  of- 
fice at  Fort  Dodge  in  1869  and  filled  the  position  until  the  follow- 
ing year.  He  practiced  law  here  for  many  years,  becoming 
recognized  as  an  able  and  learned  attorney,  and  he  also  developed 
and  improved  a  farm  three  miles  north  of  Fort  Dodge,  although 
he  did  not  make  his  home  thereon.  The  last  years  of  his  life  were 
spent  in  aiding  to  secure  legislation  for  the  Des  !\Ioines  river  land 
settlers  and  this  kept  him  the  greater  part  of  the  time  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.  The  River  Land  Bill  for  which  he  had  labored  so 
persistently  finally  passed  the  house  of  representatives  the  day 
before  his  death.  He  was  a  forcible  public  speaker,  strong  in 
his  convictions,  patriotic  and  fearless  in  his  citizenship  and  a 
man  of  great  force  of  character.  He  correctly  judged  life  and  its 
opportunities  and  made  good  use  of  his  time  and  talents  not  only 
for  the  benefit  of  himself  but  also  for  others. 


WILLIAM  11.  11.  CULBY. 

William  II.  II.  Colby  is  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of 
Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  conducts  a  livery  l)usincss  r)n  an 
extensive  scale.  He  was  born  in  Vermont,  March  iK.  1840.  and  is 
a  son  of  Harrison  and  Mary  Colby,  who  were  natives  of  that 
state.  The  father  was  prominent  and  successful  in  the  hotel 
business  in  Vermont  for  many  years  and  his  jirospcrity  followed 


210  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

him  when  he  moved  to  Wisconsin.  He  remained  in  that  state 
for  some  time,  going  to  Iowa  in  the  '70s.  He  located  in  Fort 
Dodge  and  resided  in  this  city  until  his  death.  He  was  one  of 
the  representative  citizens  of  the  community  and  his  activities 
in  the  promotion  of  the  Fort  Ridgeley  Railroad  have  had  an 
influential  result  upon  the  civic  prominence  of  Fort  Dodge.  He 
died  in  1885  and  was  survived  by  his  wife  for  one  year,  her  death 
occurring  in  1886. 

William  H.  H.  Colby  went  to  school  in  Wisconsin  and  followed 
the  usual  course  of  public  instruction.  He  remained  with  his 
parents  until  his  marriage  in  1859,  when  he  started  in  active  life 
for  himself  in  the  livery  and  hotel  business  at  Sun  Prairie,  Wis- 
consin. This  venture  was  successful  and  was  later  followed  by 
a  general  merchandise  store  at  Token  Creek,  Wisconsin,  in  the 
operation  of  which  Mr.  Colby  acted  for  his  father  and  was  suc- 
cessful in  conserving  his  interests.  In  1870  he  removed  to  Fort 
Dodge,  Iowa,  and  here  engaged  in  the  livery  and  lumber  business 
upon  the  same  site  which  he  now  occupies  in  his  present  activities. 
He  has  never  left  this  location  and  has  become  one  of  the  pros- 
perous and  successful  men  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  has  gradually  dis- 
continued the  lumber  department  of  his  enterprise  and  devotes 
his  entire  attention  to  the  liverj'  and  transfer  branch.  His  busi- 
ness has  increased  phenomenally  and  the  enterprise  which  was 
begun  upon  a  small  and  humble  scale  has  now  evolved  into  one  of 
the  largest  of  its  kind  in  the  city.  He  has  recently  erected  a  new 
brick  building  to  give  him  increased  capacity  for  his  business 
transactions  and  has  been  an  important  factor  in  nnmicipal  de- 
velopment. He  has  devoted  his  time  almost  e.\clusi\ely  to  com- 
mercial pursuits  and  his  energies,  directed  along  well  controlled 
and  economic  lines,  have  resulted  in  a  gratitx  ing  degree  of  [iros- 
perity.  Although  he  is  absorbed  in  business  he  is  nevertheless  a 
loyal  citizen  of  Fort  Dodge  and  his  cooperation  is  never  asked 
in  vain  in  any  movement  looking  toward  its  future  prosperity  and 
prominence. 

Mr.  Colby  was  married  at  the  age  of  nineteen  in  Token  Creek. 
Wisconsin,  to  Miss  Emma  E.  Spaulding.  a  daughter  of  George 
H.  and  Mary  (Lawrence)  Spaulding,  both  natives  of  Vermont. 
The  father  was  a  prominent  hotel  proprietor  and  farmer  in  Token 
Creek  for  many  years.  After  his  wife's  death  he  retired  from 
commercial  pursuits  and  made  his  home  in  Fort  Dodge  with  his 
son-in-law.  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  with  whom  he  remained 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  211 

until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1874.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Colby 
have  been  born  two  children :  Fred  G.,  now  a  bookkeeper  in  his 
father's  establishment ;  and  Nellie,  the  wife  of  Arthur  Keys,  of 
Santiago,  California.  On  October  10.  igii.  ]\Irs.  Colby  was  sud- 
denly stricken  with  paralysis  and  passed  away  on  October  13. 
191 1,  after  fifty-two  years  of  happy  married  life. 

Politically  Mr.  Colby  is  a  republican  but  has  never  sought 
public  office,  although  he  casts  his  ballot  at  each  election  and 
takes  an  intelligent  interest  in  public  affairs.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Masonic  order  but  this  constitutes  his  only  fraternal  af- 
filiation. He  prefers  to  keep  his  attention  concentrated  on  the 
conduct  of  his  business,  believing  that  in  commercial  prosperity 
along  worthy  lines  and  in  an  exemplary  private  life  true  success 
and  happiness  lie. 


CLEMMON  L.  GRANGER. 

Among  the  enterprising  business  men  of  Fort  Dodge  whose 
efforts  have  been  freely  expended  in  promoting  the  development 
of  the  town  must  be  mentioned  the  late  Clemmon  L.  Granger, 
who  contributed  generously  of  both  his  time  and  money  and 
worked  tirelessly  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  community. 

He  was  born  at  iNIount  Clemens,  Michigan,  February  11,  1850, 
and  is  a  son  of  Sylvester  and  Mary  (Vernie)  Granger.  The 
father  was  born  and  reared  in  the  state  of  New  Y'ork  and  was 
of  English  extraction,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Michigan 
and  was  of  French  descent.  Agricultural  pursuits  always  en- 
gaged the  energies  of  Sylvester  Granger,  who  removed  with  his 
family  from  Michigan  to  Indiana  in  i860,  locating  at  Crown  Point, 
where  he  and  the  mother  passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 

The  education  of  Clemmon  L.  Granger  was  begun  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  state  and  completed  in  a  private  acad- 
emy at  Crown  Point.  In  his  early  manhood  he  went  to  Belle- 
ville, Illinois,  as  local  representative  of  the  McCormick  Manufac- 
turing Company  of  Chicago.  Later  he  was  made  general  agent 
for  this  company  in  the  states  of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania, 
serving  in  this  capacity  for  three  years.  In  1879,  he  came  to  Fort 
Dodge,  Iowa,  and  establishe<l  an  implement  and  seed  store  on 
the  public  square,  where  the  Granger  Company  is  now  located. 


212  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

He  was  associated  with  the  late  George  F.  \\  ise  for  three  years, 
the  business  being  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Granger  & 
Wise.  Later  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Peter  M.  Mitchell, 
also  deceased,  who  is  mentioned  at  greater  length  elsewhere  in 
this  work,  and  for  fifteen  years  the  store  was  conducted  under 
the  name  of  Granger  &  ^Mitchell,  l^'or  three  years  C.  E.  Brown 
now  of  Sioux  City,  Iowa,  was  financially  interested  in  the  enter- 
prise,and  during  that  time  it  was  operated  under  the  name  of 
C.  L.  Granger  &  Company.  Mr.  Granger  continued  to  be  actively 
identified  with  this  business  until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  the 
Passavant  Hospital,  Chicago,  April  6.  1900.  He  met  with  good 
success  and  had  built  up  a  nice  patronage,  being  favorably  known 
throughout  the  agricultural  sections  of  the  entire  county. 

At  Crown  Point.  Indiana,  on  the  4th  of  October,  1875.  Mr. 
Granger  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Alice  A.  W'illey,  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Cynthia  (Nash)  Willey.  The  father  was 
a  native  of  Connecticut  and  when  a  small  lad  came  to  Madison 
county,  Xew  York,  with  his  parents.  There  he  was  reared  to 
manhood  and  subsequently  met  and  married  Miss  Nash,  a  native 
of  Madison  county  and  a  member  of  an  old  colonial  family,  many 
of  her  ancestors  having  participated  in  the  Revolution.  Mr. 
\\  illey  began  life  as  a  farmer,  but  he  subse(|uently  studied  law 
and  also  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business.  In  the  early  years 
of  their  domestic  life  he  and  his  wife  removed  to  Indiana,  settling 
in  Lake  county,  and  there  both  passed  away.  Mrs.  Ciranger, 
who  is  of  English  extraction  in  both  the  paternal  and  maternal 
lines,  was  given  the  advantages  of  good  schooling  and  attended 
both  the  high  school  at  Crown  Point  and  a  young  ladies'  semi- 
nary, where  she  completed  her  education. 

When  first  granted  the  right  of  franchise  upon  attaining  his 
majority,  Mr.  Granger  voted  the  democratic  ticket,  but  he  later 
transferred  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  whose  candi- 
dates he  thereafter  supported.  He  was  alwaj's  one  of  the  fore- 
most men  in  the  community  and  took  an  active  and  helpful  in- 
terest in  all  nninicipal  affairs.  His  fellow  townsmen  manifested 
their  appreciation  of  his  services  by  electing  him  mayor  of  the 
city  on  five  different  occasions.  That  he  discharged  the  duties  of 
this  ofifice  with  efficiency  and  in  a  manner  highly  satisfactory  to 
the  community  at  large  is  evidenced  by  the  period  of  his  service. 
He  was  mayor  when  the  city  voted  for  bonds  for  the  installation 
of   a   waterworks   svstem   and   he   was   likewise   the   incumbent   of 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  213 

this  office  when  the  street  railway  franchise  was  granted.  In 
the  discharge  of  his  official  duties  he  exhibited  the  spirit  of  prog- 
ress and  enterprising  methods  that  cliaracterized  him  as  a  l)usi- 
ness  man,  and  worked  tirelessly  in  his  efforts  to  promote  the 
development  of  the  various  public  utilities.  He  was  not  identified 
with  any  church  but  attended  the  Presbyterian,  of  which  Mrs. 
Granger  is  a  member,  and  fraternally  he  was  affiliated  with 
Ashlar  Lodge.  Xo.  in.  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Calvary  Commandery, 
Xo.  24.  K.  T. :  and  Fort  Dodge  Lodge,  Xo.  248,  .-K.  O.  U.  \V. 
Although  twelve  years  have  elapsed  since  the  passing  away  of 
Mr.  Granger,  his  personality  was  too  strongly  impressed  upon 
the  community  in  the  development  of  which  he  had  been  a  dom- 
inant factor,  for  him  to  be  readily  forgotten,  while  the  various 
public  utilities  he  assisted  in  promoting  stand  as  monuments  com- 
memorating his  services  to  the  city. 


SEXATOR  FREDERIC  LARRABEE. 

It  has  long  been  an  almost  universally  accepted  fact  that  the 
professional  man  cannot  win  success  along  agricultural  or  com- 
mercial lines,  that  the  qualities  which  fit  him  for  one  of  the  learned 
professions  are  not  in  harmony  with  the  demands  of  the  farm,  the 
shop  or  the  counting  house.  The  record  of  Senator  Frederic 
Larrabee,  however,  shows  that  the  keen  iliscrimination  and  ana- 
lytical power  which  make  him  an  able  representative  of  the  bar 
also  enable  him  to  successfully  solve  intricate  business  problems, 
and  farming  and  stock-raising  constitute  an  important  source 
of  his  revenue  in  addition  to  his  operations  in  real  estate  and  his 
practice  of  law.  Moreover,  his  fellow  citizens  recognize  him  as 
one  well  qualified  for  political  leadership,  so  that  he  is  now  repre- 
senting the  twenty-seventh  district,  comprising  Calhoun  and 
Webster  counties,  in  the  upper  house  of  the  general  assembly. 
He  was  born  in  Clermont,  Iowa.  Xovember  3,  1873.  and  comes 
of  Xew  England  ancestry.  He  is  a  son  of  ex-Governor  William 
Larrabee.  one  of  the  honored  pioneers  and  builders  of  the  com- 
monwealth of  Iowa,  of  whom  further  mention  is  made  on  another 
page  of  this  work.  His  paternal  grandfather  was  .\dani  Larrabee. 
a  native  of  Connecticut,  who  was  of  English  lineage  but  more 
remotely  of   French  descent.     He  served  as  a  soldier  with  the 


214  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

American  troops  in  the  War  of  1812,  holding  the  rank  of  Heutenant, 
and  a  wound  which  he  sustained  in  an  engagement  hastened  his 
death.  Lieutenant  Larrabee  was  a  graduate  of  West  Point  and 
made  a  creditable  record  during  his  miHtary  service.  The  ma- 
ternal grandfather  of  Senator  Larrabee  was  Gustave  Adolphus 
Appelman,  who  married  Ann  Williams.  Both  were  natives  of 
Connecticut  and  Mr.  Appelman  was  of  German  descent,  while  his 
wife  was  of  W^elsh  lineage.  They  were  pioneer  settlers  of  Clayton 
county. 

Frederic  Larrabee  was  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools  of  Cler- 
mont, Iowa,  and  afterward  attended  the  State  University,  being 
graduated  from  the  collegiate  department  in  1897  and  from  the 
law  department  in  1898.  He  afterward  pursued  a  special  course  at 
Columbia  University.  Throughout  his  life  he  has  been  a  student 
not  only  of  professional  problems  but  also  of  the  great  economic, 
political  and  sociological  questions  which  claim  the  attention  of 
the  statesman  and  the  thinking  man  of  the  age.  He  became  a 
resident  of  Fort  Dodge  in  1901  and  has  since  that  time  here  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  law  and  in  the  real-estate  business.  He  is  also 
interested  in  stock-raising  and  farming,  breeding  and  handling 
thoroughbred  cattle.  He  has  large  landed  interests,  owning 
several  farms  in  the  state  which  prove  good  sources  of  income  to 
him.  He  is  likewise  interested  in  the  Iowa  Savings  Bank  and 
several  banking  and  other  business  institutions.  His  property  in- 
cludes land  in  northern  Iowa  and  a  farm  in  Cooper  township, 
Webster  county,  south  of  the  Fort  Dodge  city  limits,  he  and  his 
brother  Charles  owning  there  four  hundred  acres.  Upon  that 
place  they  raise  Brown  Swiss  cattle,  their  father  having  brought 
the  first  herd  of  Brown  Swiss  cattle  into  the  state.  He  selected 
these  as  the  breed  best  adapted  to  climatic  and  other  conditions 
in  northern  Iowa  and  since  that  time  the  name  of  Larrabee  has 
been  connected  with  the  breeding  and  raising  of  cattle  on  an 
extensive  scale. 

Senator  Frederic  Larrabee  has  always  been  a  republican,  in- 
terested in  the  growth  and  success  of  the  party  and  doing  all  in 
his  power  to  further  its  interests.  In  1908  he  was  elected  to  repre- 
sent the  twenty-seventh  district  in  the  state  senate,  of  which 
he  is  now  an  active  member,  making  a  creditable  record  by  in- 
dorsement of  the  measures  which  he  deems  essential  and  valuable 
in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  state.  He  has  among  his  warm 
friends  many  of  Iowa's  most  distinguished  citizens  and  he,  at  all 


HISTORY  UF  WEUSTEK  COLXTV  215 

limes,  commands  the  high  regard  and  confidence  of  those  witli 
whom  he  associates.  He  was  a  member  of  Company  G,  Iowa 
National  Guard,  served  as  its  first  heutenant  and  was  connected 
with  tlie  state  militia  for  about  six  years  as  an  officer.  He  acted 
first  as  lieutenant  and  later  as  battalion  adjutant  of  the  Fifty-sixth 
Regiment  and  is  widely  known  in  military  as  well  as  in  other 
circles  throughout  the  state.  His  ability  and  fidelity  have  placed 
him  in  a  position  of  public  trust  where  he  is  accorded  the  honor 
and  respect  of  his  fellowmen. 


REV.  FRAi\XIS  FWW  KES. 
Rev.  F'rancis  Fawkcs  is  living  retired  ni  Ulhu  after  a  period 


of  active  service  as  a  Congregational  minister,  embracing  almost 
fifty  years  of  useful  and  forceful  work  in  the  cause  of  religious 
expansion.  He  is  one  of  the  most  widely  known  and  prominent 
clergymen  in  Otho  township,  where  he  has  resided  for  almost 
half  a  century  and  where  his  sincere,  earnest  and  useful  life  has 
gained  him  many  friends.  Mr.  Fawkes  is  a  native  of  England, 
born  December  20,  1838,  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Austin) 
Fawkes,  natives  of  that  country.  The  father  was  a  weaver  of 
woolen  cloth  in  England  and  later  spent  ten  years  in  the  govern- 
ment employ,  working  in  a  dockyard.  He  remained  in  his  native 
country  until  1867  and  then  came  to  America,  settling  near  Du- 
buque, Iowa,  where  he  purchased  a  tract  of  timber  land  and  began 
its  improvement  and  cultivation.  This  farm  he  operated  during 
the  summer  months  for  a  number  of  years,  working  in  the  lead 
ore  mines  through  the  winter.  He  was  finally  obliged  to  retire 
on  account  of  old  age  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Dubuque, 
where  he  lived  until  after  the  death  of  his  wife,  which  occurred 
in  1892.  In  1893  he  came  to  Otho  and  made  his  home  with  the 
subject  of  this  review  until  his  death,  in  1896. 

Rev.  Francis  Fawkes  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  when  he 
came  to  America.  He  had  received  a  limited  education  in  Eng- 
land, laying  aside  his  books  when  he  was  tiiirtccn  years  of  age. 
being  compelled  at  that  time  to  earn  his  own  livelihood.  He  has. 
however,  improved  his  leisure  by  constant  and  well  selected  read- 
ing and  is  now  one  of  the  most  cultured  and  cducate<l  gentlemen 
in  Webster  countv.     ,\t  thirteen  years  of  age  he  went  to  work  in 


216  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

a  woolen  cloth  factory  and  for  four  years  labored  arduously  in 
this  employment.  Afterward  he  obtained  a  position  in  the  gov- 
ernment naval  depot  in  the  county  of  Kent  and  later  secured 
work  in  a  drug  store  in  that  vicinity,  where  he  remained  for 
eight  years.  In  March,  1864,  he  came  to  America  and  settled  in 
Dubuque,  coming  later  to  \^'isconsin,  to  an  uncle,  where  he  lo- 
cated near  Mineral  Point.  After  some  weeks'  temporar}'  resi- 
dence in  that  section  he  returned  to  Dubuque,  settling  there  for 
the  second  time  in  May,  1864.  He  obtained  a  position  in  a  local 
drug  store  and  for  two  years  retained  his  connection  with  this 
enterprise.  During  all  of  these  various  removals  he  read  and 
studied  constantly  and  soon  gained  a  liberal  education.  He  de- 
lights in  recalling  his  early  struggles  for  the  acquirement  of 
learning  and  when  asked  from  what  school  he  was  graduated, 
answers  that  he  obtained  his  degree  from  a  drug  store.  He  was 
influenced  in  joining  the  ministry  by  Dr.  Guernsey,  head  of  the 
Congregational  missionary  work,  and  after  his  ordination  became 
active  as  a  missionary  in  Iowa.  For  three  and  one-half  years  he 
worked  in  Durango  and  "then  received  a  call  from  a  church  at 
Dows,  where  he  remained  for  four  years.  His  first  residence  in 
Otho  dates  from  1873  and  here  he  remained  for  five  years,  preach- 
ing the  gospel  and  doing  other  important  missionar_\-  work.  At 
the  end  of  tiiat  time  his  health  failed  and  he  was  obliged  to  give 
up  active  labor.  Returning  to  Dubucpie.  he  purchased  a  farm  and 
operated  it  for  twehe  years  with  the  object  of  regaining  his 
shattered  health  by  constant  labor  out  of  doors.  His  activities 
served  the  purpose  for  which  they  were  intended  and  in  1890  he 
returned  to  Otho,  where  for  fifteen  years  he  was  active  in  all 
kinds  of  ministerial  work.  .\t  the  end  of  that  time  his  hearing  and 
eyesight  became  poor  and  he  was  obliged  to  retire  from  the  min- 
istry, although  he  still  maintains  his  residence  in  Otho.  He  owns 
a  fine  eighty  acre  farm  two  miles  from  town  and  two  fine  resi- 
dence lots  in  the  village  and  upon  one  of  these  he  has  built  a 
modern  and  comfortable  home  in  which  he  lives.  For  almost  half 
a  century  he  has  worked  for  the  spread  of  the  doctrines  in  which  he 
sincerely  believes  and  his  life,  although  quiet  and  unassuming, 
has  been  a  potent  factor  of  their  widespread  acceptance.  His 
retirement  is  a  well  earned  rest  after  arduous  and  faithful  labor 
and  was  made  necessary  by  failing  health. 

Mr.   Fawkes  was  married  in    1865  to  Miss  Elizabeth    Fawkes 
and  they  had  one  son,  Frank  H.,  who  is  agent  for  the  Northwest- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  217 

ern  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company  at  Pasadena,  California. 
Mr.  Fawkes'  first  wife  died  in  1868  and  in  the  following  year  he 
wedded  Miss  Susan  R.  Woodhouse,  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Ann  (Boyd)  A\'oodhouse,  the  former  a  native  of  Indiana  and  the 
latter  of  Kentucky.  To  this  union  were  born  seven  children, 
Harriet  G.,  Clement  W.,  Sarah  R..  Edith  A.,  Nora  M.,  Ernest  W., 
and  Otis,  whose  death  occurred  in  1874.  Of  the  six  who  survive 
all  are  married  except  Ernest.  Mrs.  Fawkes  was  struck  by  light- 
ning on  July  4,  1883,  and  instantly  killed.  In  Novemlier,  1890. 
Mr.  Fawkes  was  again  married,  his  third  wife  being  Miss  Mar- 
garet W.  Martin,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Janet  (Lyon)  Martin, 
natives  of  Scotland.  The  father  was  a  farmer  in  his  native  coun- 
try and  continued  in  that  occupation  all  his  life.  He  died  in  Scot- 
land in  1859  and  his  wife  died  there  in  1875.  I^'^e  of  their  children 
at  different  times  came  to  the  United  States,  all  settled  in  Webster 
county  and  are  married.  Mrs.  Fawkes  was  born  in  Scotland  in 
October,    1839. 

Mr.  Fawkes  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  proliibition  party  and 
is  an  active  worker  in  this  organization.  He  is  a  fine  example 
of  a  sincere,  earnest,  unselfish  and  industrious  clergyman.  Per- 
sonal advancement  has  never  entered  into  his  plan  of  life  and  his 
professions  of  faith  are  supported  by  good  works  and  charities 
which  make  him  an  influence  in  the  promotion  of  the  universal 
religion  of  kindness  and  good-will. 


HENRY   H.   BALDWIN. 

Henrv  H.  Baldwin  is  one  of  the  honored  veterans  of  the  Civil 
war,  who  now,  after  many  years  of  successful  attention  to  his 
chosen  vocation  as  a  printer,  is  living  retired  at  Fort  Dodge. 
Webster  county,  Iowa,  where  he  has  spent  the  major  portion  of 
the  active  business  years  of  his  life.  He  was  born  on  Orange 
Mountain,  New  Jersey,  I-'eljruary  10,  1843,  'i"d  is  a  son  of  Lemuel 
and  Rachel  (Perry)  Baldwin,  tlie  former  of  wiiom  was  born  in 
Orange,  New  Jersey,  in  1806.  The  mother  was  a  native  of  New 
Jersey  and  was  related  to  Commodore  Perry,  of  Lake  Erie  fame 
in  the  War  of  1812.  The  fatlier.  (if  English  descent,  reniovcil 
with  his  family  to  Columbus,  Ohio,  and  tlicre  established  his 
home  in   1845,  where  he  died  in  July,    !856. 


218  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Henry  H.  Baldwin  was  reared  in  his  parents'  home  and  re- 
ceived his  elementary  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Columbus, 
Ohio.  At  the  close  of  his  school  years  he  became  an  apprenticed 
printer  on  the  Ohio  State  Journal  and  in  that  occupation  he  con- 
tinued until  the  opening  of  the  Civil  war.  He  then  enlisted  at 
Columbus,  Ohio,  in  Company  H,  Eighty-fifth  Ohio  Regiment  of 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  at  once  went  with  his  command  to  Camp 
Chase,  where  his  company  was  employed  in  guard  duty  at  the 
federal  prison.  He  was  among  the  early  volunteers  who  re- 
sfionded  to  President  Lincoln's  call  for  thirty-day  men  and  at  the 
expiration  of  his  three  months  of  service  he  went  to  Cambridge, 
Illinois,  to  which  place  his  mother  had  removed,  and  there  en- 
listed in  Company  C.  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  continued  as  a  soldier  in  the  field  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  His  command  campaigned  through  the 
states  of  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Georgia  and  North  Carolina,  dur- 
ing which  time  his  regiment  was  detailed  for  six  months  as 
mounted  infantry.  He  was  then  transferred  to  Company  F,  of 
the  Sixty-fifth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  A  few  of  the  engage- 
ments in  which  Mr.  Baldwin  took  part  during  his  life  as  a  soldier 
were  the  battles  of  Knoxville,  Dallas,  Peachtree,  Atlanta.  New 
Hope  Church,  Ezra  Church,  the  Franklin  and  Nashville  cam- 
paigns, the  battle  of  Town  Creek  and  the  capture  of  Fort  Ander- 
son. His  command  then  joined  Sherman  at  Goldsboro.  North 
Carolina,  and  immediately  following  the  surrender  of  Johnston 
the  regiment  went  into  permanent  camp  at  Greensboro,  North 
Carolina,  where  it  remained  until  the  subject  of  this  review  was 
mustered  out  of  ser\ice  in  July.  1S65.  His  command  was  detained 
in  Greensl)oro  for  the  purpose  of  restoring  civil  government  in 
that  part  of  North  Carolina,  and  thus  failed  to  participate  in  the 
grand  review  of  veterans  at  \\^ashington.  Company  C.  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  \'nlunteer  Infantry,  of  which  the  sub- 
ject of  this  review  was  a  member,  belonged  to  the  Third  Brigade, 
Third  Division  of  the  Twenty-third  Corps  of  the  Armv  of  the 
Ohio.  At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Baldwin  returned  to  Illinois 
and  located  at  Cambridge,  at  which  place  he  celebrated  his  mar- 
riage in  1865.  Two  years  later  he  established  his  home  at  Fort 
Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  accepted  the  position  of  foreman  of  the 
composing  room  on  the  Fort  Dodge  Messenger,  and  in  various 
positions  he  continued  until  191 1,  at  which  time  he  severed  his 
connection  with  the  printing  business  and  retired  from  acti\x  life. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  219 

He  was  also  occasionally  employed  as  ad  man  in  the  composing 
room  of  the  Chronicle  office  at  Fort  Dodge.  His  entire  business 
career  in  Fort  Dodge,  however,  was  in  employment  with  one  or 
the  other  of  these  papers. 

In  i8f)5  Mr.  Baldwin  was  united  in  marriage  at  Camliridge, 
Illinois,  to  Miss  Emma  Stephenson,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and 
Laura  (Finch)  Stephenson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ken- 
tucky. The  father  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  and  removed  in 
1865  from  Cambridge  to  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  where  he  established 
his  home  and  continued  to  live  during  the  remaining  years  of  his 
life,  which  closed  in  1894.  The  mother's  death  occurred  in  1886. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baldwin  four  children  were  born.  Carrie  was 
born  in  1866  and  died  in  1886.  Harry  O.,  born  in  1872,  was  mar- 
ried June  5,  1895,  to  Miss  Byrd  Utley,  of  Alden,  Iowa,  and  they 
reside  in  Fort  Dodge.  Richard  B.,  born  in  1874,  was  married  in 
October,  1906,  to  Miss  Kate  Schneider,  of  Garner,  Iowa,  and  they 
now  reside  in  Fort  Dodge.  Dawn,  who  completes  the  family,  is 
the  wife  of  William  H.  Gaughan,  of  Phoenix,  Arizona.  The 
mother  of  this  family  died  August  18,  1899. 

Mr.  Baldwin  has  been  a  lifelong  republican,  and  is  an  honored 
member  of  Fort  Donelson  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  also  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  church  of  his  adopted  city.  He  is  one  of  the 
substantial  and  highly  esteemed  men  of  Fort  Dodge  and  has  so 
lived  as  to  gain  and  retain  the  good-will  and  high  regard  of  the 
people  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 


PETER  F.  FLANAGAN. 

The  energies  of  Peter  F.  hdanagan  have  for  some  years  been 
successfuly  devoted  to  mercantile  pursuits,  in  which  he  has  won 
the  advancement  achieved  by  the  man  of  intelligent  effort  and 
stalwart  purpose.  He  is  a  native  of  Iowa  and  was  born  in  Clin- 
ton county  on  the  nth  of  .\i)ril,  1863.  his  parents  being  John 
and  Catherine  (Green)  Flanagan.  The  parents  were  both  na- 
tives of  Ireland,  whence  they  emigrated  to  the  I'nitcd  States 
in  early  life.  The  father  fu'st  located  in  Illinois,  where  he 
farmed  for  a  time,  and  then  rcnioxed  to  Clinton  cfnmty,  Jowa. 
There  he  jiurchascd  some  land  and  cniuinued  bis  agricultural 
pursuits  mitil    1870.      In   the  l;itter  ycir  he  dis]K)sed  of  his  place 


220  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

and  removed  to  Greene  county,  investing  his  capital  in  another 
farm.  The  development  of  this  property  enlisted  his  energies 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1894.  The  mother  had  passed 
away  about  two  years  previously. 

Peter  F.  Flanagan  was  a  lad  of  seven  years  when  he  accom- 
panied his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Greene  county,  where 
he  was  rearefl  and  educated.  He  assisted  with  the  cultivation 
of  the  home  farm  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age  when  he  went 
to  Lohrville  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade.  He  followed  this 
vocation  during  the  greater  part  of  the  succeeding  thirteen  years, 
following  which  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  for  a  time. 
In  1896,  he  came  to  Clare  and  opened  a  restaurant,  but  he  sub- 
sequently disposed  of  this  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness. Despite  his  inexperience  the  latter  venture  thrived,  largely 
owing  to  his  good  judgment,  close  attention  to  details  and  gracious 
and  accommodating  treatment  of  patrons.  More  than  average 
prosperity  has  rewarded  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Flanagan  who  in  ad- 
dition to  his  store  owns  his  residence  and  two  store  buildings 
and  holds  some  stock  in  the  Clare  Mutual  Telephone  Company. 

In  January,  1891,  Mr.  Flanagan  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
Casey,  a  daughter  of  Johif  and  Susan  (Ryan)  Casey,  natives  of 
Canada,  who  had  moved  to  Greene  county,  Iowa,  in  1872.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Flanagan  have  no  children  of  their  own  but  have  adopted 
a  son,  Martin  Casey.  They  are  communicants  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  church,  and  fraternally  Mr.  Flanagan  is  aflfiliated  with 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  .\merica.  Knights  of  Columbus  and 
Yeomen.  In  politics  he  stanchly  supports  the  republican  party, 
but  has  never  sought  or  aspired  to  public  office.  He  is  a  man  of 
strong  determination  and  much  tenacitv  of  purpose,  as  is  evidenced 
by  his  career,  which  has  been  pursued  w-ith  the  relentless  energy 
of  one  resolved  to  succeed. 


ALBERT  Hi:XKY  1-REDERICK  GUHL. 

The  power  of  energy,  resourceful  ability,  determination,  and 
enterprise  is  well  illustrated  in  the  career  of  .\lbert  Guhl.  whose 
leading  position  in  business  circles  of  \'incent  gives  little  hint  of 
the  penniless  and  friendless  condition  of  the  German  boy  of 
seventeen,  who  settled  in  this  section  of  Iowa  twenty-one  years 


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HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  223 

ago.  He  is  today  one  of  tlie  most  successful  men  in  Vincent  and 
liis  prosperity  is  the  more  creditable  since  it  lay  at  the  end  of 
a  hard  road  and  was  reached  only  after  ditificulties  and  early 
struggles.  Mr.  Guhl  was  l)orn  in  Ganschendorf,  province  of 
Pommern,  Germany,  July  22,  1874,  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Mary 
(Genson)  Guhl,  natives  of  that  section.  His  father  is  well  known 
in  the  tailoring  business  in  Cianschendorf  and  has  followed  that 
occupation  during  his  active  life.  Neither  he  nor  his  wife  has 
ever  come  to  America. 

After  completing  his  eilucation  in  the  public  schools  of  Ger- 
many. Albert  Cjulil  learned  the  shoemaking  trade  and  after  serv- 
ing his  apprenticeship,  worked  at  this  occupation  for  one  vear. 
Becoming  dissatisfied  with  his  attainments  and  prospects  he  de- 
termined to  seek  greater  advantages  in  .America,  and  crossing 
the  Atlantic,  settled  in  Webster  county,  near  Vincent,  when  he 
\\as  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  obtained  work  as  a  farm  hand 
in  the  employ  of  Henry  Bastian  and  held  this  position  for  four 
\'ears.  When  he  resigned  he  still  made  his  home  with  his  former 
employer  and  remained  in  that  section  of  Webster  county  for 
ten  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  mov-ed  to  Vincent,  where 
he  established  a  small  restaurant  which  was  the  nucleus  of  his 
present  important  enterprise.  With  true  German  thrift  and 
singleness  of  purpose,  and  aided  by  a  determination  which  is 
an  element  in  his  own  individuality  he  a]Jiilied  himself  to  making 
his  business  expand.  I^ittle  by  little  the  enterprise  grew  and 
as  success  came  Mr.  Guhl  added  to  his  building  until  today  it  is 
a  large  and  ably  conducted  restaurant  with  all  the  aspects  of 
metropolitan  institutions.  He  has  built  up  a  gratifying  and  con- 
stantly growing  ])atronage  and  has  become  in  the  course  of 
years  wealthy  and  prosperous.  The  money  which  he  has  made 
he  has  invested  principally  in  business  property  in  Vincent,  own- 
ing five  large  buildings  in  the  busiest  section  of  the  village. 

On  March  2-.  1901,  Mr.  Guhl  was  unite<l  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  Wilson,  a  daughter  of  Mattliew  and  Gatherina  (Hemming) 
Wilson,  natives  of  Norway,  fler  father  came  to  America  in  his 
early  years  and  settled  immodiatcK-  in  Vincent,  where  for  a 
long  time  he  conducted  a  dairying  business.  He  died  in  Eagle 
Grove,  Iowa,  November  20,  1899.  His  wife  makes  her  home  in 
Vincent.  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Guhl  have  five  children.  Emma  Marie. 
Otto  Carl  Frederick.  Edna  Irene,  Alice  Eillian  and  .Albert  Julius. 
The  family  belong  to  the  German  Lutheran  church. 


224  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Mr.  Guhl  affiliates  with  the  progressive  party  and  for  four 
years  served  as  a  member  of  the  Vincent  town  council  and  did 
much  constructive  and  organizing  work  along  lines  of  municipal 
advancement,  bringing  to  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties  a 
conscientiousness  and  an  energy  and  political  influence  which  proved 
him  as  capable  in  a  public  way  as  in  the  management  of  his  private 
business  enterprise. 


THOMAS  F.  GURNETT. 

Thomas  F.  Gurnett  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  since  he  was 
six  months  old  and  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life  in  this 
state.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  general  store  at 
Barnum,  where  he  is  known  as  a  practical  and  enterprising  busi- 
ness man.  He  was  born  in  La  Salle,  Illinois,  in  September,  1863, 
and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Ellen  (Martin)  Gurnett,  natives  of 
Ireland.  The  father  came  to  America  in  1850,  locating  in  La 
Salle,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  as  a  brakeman  on  a  railroad  for 
about  three  years,  moving  at  the  end  of  that  time  to  Linn  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
at  six  dollars  per  acre.  He  operated  this  farm  and  made  exten- 
sive improvements,  selling  it  at  the  end  of  three  years  at  twelve 
dollars  per  acre.  He  then  purchased  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  paying  for  this  six  dollars  per  acre,  to  which  he  added  from 
time  to  time  until  he  owned  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He 
followed  farming  until  1909,  when  he  retired  from  active  life  and 
moved  to  the  vicinity  of  Fairfax,  where  he  is  now  making  his 
home  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Frank  Cahill.  His  wife  passed  away 
in  1904. 

Thomas  Gurnett  was  six  months  old  when  he  came  to  Iowa 
with  his  parents.  He  was  reared  at  home  and  received  his  early 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  Linn  county,  supplementing 
this  by  a  course  at  Tilford's  Academy  at  Vinton.  Iowa.  After  he 
completed  his  studies  he  worked  for  his  father  upon  the  farm  for 
a  few  years,  later  renting  the  Rockford  Stock  farm,  where  for 
three  years  he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  then 
purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  College  township, 
Linn  county,  which  he  operated  for  seven  years,  disposing  of 
his  holdings  eventually  in  order  to  come  to  Barnum.  where  he 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  225 

bought  a  general  store,  with  which  lie  has  been  identified  up  to 
the  present  time.  He  met  with  rapid  and  well  deserved  success 
which  was  founded  upon  the  systematic  and  businesslike  methods 
by  which  he  operated  his  enterprise  and  upon  industry,  activity 
and  honesty  which  are  elements  in  his  character.  His  store  was 
destroyed  by  fire  in  1902  but  in  the  same  year  Mr.  Gurnett  erected 
the  fine  brick  building  which  he  now  occupies.  He  carries  a 
large  stock  of  goods,  which  is  always  complete  and  artistically 
arranged.  He  has  a  large  and  constantly  growing  patronage  and 
is  ranked  among  the  substantial  and  prosperous  merchants  of 
Barnum.  He  is  a  stockh'older  in  the  Barnum  Telephone  Com- 
pany and  has  an  interest  in  a  large  estate  in  Linn  county. 

In  March,  1891,  Mr.  Gurnett  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Margaret  E.  Moran,  a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  Moran, 
both  natives  of  Ireland.  Mrs.  Gurnett  passed  away  on  November 
25,  191 1,  after  a  short  illness,  leaving  five  children,  Lizzie,  Willie, 
Thomas,  Esther  and  Leo. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Gurnett  affiliates  with  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America  and  the  Order  of  Yeomen.  He  belongs  to  the  Roman 
Catholic  church.  In  his  political  views  he  is  a  consistent  demo- 
crat and  has  served  as  mayor  of  Barnum  for  two  terms  and  was 
a  member  of  the  town  council  for  six  years.  His  interest  in 
education  is  evidenced  by  his  ten  years  of  able  service  on  the 
school  board,  of  which  he  was  president  for  nine  years,  having- 
shown  in  all  the  phases  of  his  political  life  an  eagerness  in 
promoting  the  general  welfare  and  progress  of  his  community, 
which  is  true  public  spirit. 


JULIUS  ELMER  COURTRIGHT. 

Julius  E.  Courtright  is  one  of  the  most  highly  respected  and 
esteemed  business  men  in  Buncombe,  Iowa,  where  he  has  lived 
since  1909.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  general  merchan- 
dise and  livery  business  in  the  city  during  the  three  years  of  his 
residence  and  has  conducted  both  his  enterprises  along  modern 
and  progressive  lines,  gaining  thereby  a  gratifying  and  well  de- 
served success.  He  is  a  native  son  of  Webster  county,  having 
been  born  in  Washington  township,  October  26,  1869.  His  par- 
ents were  James  and  Ellen  (Stalp)  Courtright,  the  former  a  native 


226  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of  Illinois.  His  fath"er  came  to 
Webster  county  with  his  parents  in  1856  when  he  was  ten  years 
of  age  and  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  section.  He  remained 
with  his  parents  until  tlie  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  when  lie  enlisted 
in  Company  K,  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  hostilities.  After  his  discharge  he  returned  home  and  worked  for 
his  father  upon  the  farm  for  some  time,  later  renting  a  tract  of  land 
which  he  operated  several  years.  He  was  eventually  able  to  purchase 
a  quarter  section  on  section  34.  \\'ashington  township,  which  he  im- 
proved and  cultivated  along  modem  and  progressive  lines,  adding  to 
his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  finally  owned  two  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  well  improved  and  intelligently  ileveloped.  This  farm  he 
culti\ated  until  1909,  when  lie  sold  his  property  and  moved  to 
Duncombe,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  has  reached  the  age 
of  sixty-six,  while  his  wife  is  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  her  age. 

Julius  E.  Courtright  was  reared  and  educated  in  \\'ebster 
county  and  remained  with  his  parents  upon  the  home  farm  until 
he  had  attained  his  majorit\-.  In  that  year  he  purchased  eighty 
acres,  constituting  a  portion  of  the  homestead  which  had  belonged 
to  his  grandfather,  on  section  34,  \\'ashington  township,  and  spent 
a  number  of  years  operating  and  improving  this  tract.  \\'hcn  he 
finally  disposed  of  the  property  he  established  himself  in  the 
mercantile  business  at  Brushy,  and  conducted  an  independent  en- 
terprise of  this  kind  for  two  years,  selling  at  the  end  of  that  time 
and  coming  to  Duncombe,  where  he  engaged  in  the  livery  busi- 
ness. He  was  successful  in  this  line  of  occupation  for  eight  years 
but  finally  disposed  of  his  interests  and  purchased  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  in  Washington  township,  which  he 
impro\ed  and  operated  for  two  years.  When  he  sold  that 
farm  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  2,  Webster 
township,  which  he  has  now  rented  out.  He  subsequently  en- 
gaged in  the  general  merchandise  business  in  Duncombe  and  after 
one  year  in  this  line  of  activity  sold  his  interests  and  again  be- 
came identified  with  a  livery  enterprise  which  he  has  operated 
since  that  time.  On  June  2,  1912,  his  building  was  destroyed  by 
fire  and  he  has  just  completed  a  fine  new  barn  and  feed  sheds  on 
the  corner  of  the  principal  street  in  Duncombe  and  owns  besides 
his  comfortable  and  modern  home.  In  the  village  he  has  a  wide 
acquaintance  and  many  friends  who  respect  him  for  his  business 
attainments  and  for  his  upright  life. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  227 

In  March,  1890,  Mr.  Courtright  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Anna  A.  Royster,  a  daughter  of  C.  W.  and  Amelia  Royster.  They 
became  the  parents  of  five  children:  Ward  S.,  who  passed  away 
in  i892;.]\Iildred  B. ;  Delmar  R. ;  Geneva  Fern;  and  Clifford  W. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Courtright  belongs  to  the  Alodern  Woodmen  of 
America  and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Neighbors.  He 
has  been  a  substitute  for  the  past  seven  years  on  the  rural  mail 
route  and  is  active  in  various  local  enterprises.  He  is  well  known 
in  republican  politics  and  served  as  mayor  of  Buncombe  for  two 
years.  He  was  elected  constable  of  his  township  and  although 
he  did  not  qualify  for  the  position  is  acting  and  fulfilling  his  duties 
ably  in  the  absence  of  a  substitute.  He  is  interested  in  education 
and  is  now  serving  as  a  member  of  the  school  board,  bringing  to 
his  duties  in  this  capacity  the  same  industry  and  intelligent  activ- 
it}-  which  have  marked  his  business  and  political  career. 


W.  C.  HAVILAND. 


\\'.  C.  Haviland  has  contributed  to  the  agricultural  and  busi- 
ness growth  of  Cooper  townshii^,  Webster  county.  Iowa,  by  his 
efficient  and  capalde  management  of  one  of  the  most  extensive 
and  prosperous  fruit  orchards  in  the  state.  His  business  is  a 
natural  outgrowth  of  his  father's,  who  in  partnership  with  a 
brother  planted  the  first  apple  tree  in  Cooper  township  and  was 
prominently  identified  with  the  nursery  business  during  his  life. 
Mr.  Haviland  was  born  in  I'rinceton.  Illinois,  on  Xovemljer  15, 
1852,  and  is  a  son  of  Andrew  Jackson  and  Mary  M.  (  Co]l)y)  Havi- 
land, the  former  a  native  of  Dutchess  county,  Xew  York,  and  the 
latter  of  Manchester,  Vermont.  Andrew  Jackson  Haviland  was 
born  October  20,  1820,  and  spent  his  early  life  in  his  native  state. 
In  1842  he  went  to  Chicago  and  worked  at  his  trade — that  of 
millwright — for  a  number  of  years.  He  came  to  Princeton,  Illi- 
nois, from  Chicago,  and  followed  the  same  line  of  occupation. 
He  had  learned  his  trade  in  the  early  '30s  in  New  York  and  was 
known  in  the  various  cities  in  which  he  resided  as  an  expert  work- 
man. He  later  went  into  the  contracting  business  at  Princeton 
and  was  successful  in  that  line  of  work  until  1855.  He  was  mar- 
ried in  Elgin,  Illinois,  and  in  1855  established  his  residence  in 
Iowa,  buying  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Webster  county.    He 


228  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

went  into  the  nursery  business  and  in  i860  built  a  home  in  Fort 
Dodge,  where  he  resided  and  continued  in  the  Hne  of  occupation 
with  which  he  was  connected  since  his  coming  to  the  state.  He 
was  one  of  the  first  settlers  north  of  Fort  Dodge  and  he  and  his 
brothers  made  the  first  permanent  location  in  this  section.  He 
was  the  pioneer  horticulturist  and  nurseryman  in  the  northwest- 
ern part  of  Iowa  and  carried  on  an  extensive  trade  in  this  line  in 
conjunction  with  one  of  his  brothers.  In  the  fall  of  1855  this 
brother  made  a  trip  back  to  Princeton,  Illinois,  and  purchased  and 
brought  to  Iowa  the  first  apple  trees  which  were  ever  set  out  in 
the  state.  He  made  the  journey  with  ox  teams  and  was  the  pio- 
neer in  what  afterward  became  a  great  and  flourishing  industry. 
He  was  one  of  the  prominent  fruit  growers  in  this  section  of  the 
country  and  for  years  served  as  president  of  the  State  Horticul- 
tural Society.  His  picture  now  hangs  in  an  honored  place  in  the 
horticultural  room  in  the  state  capital.  The  father  of  our  subject 
continued  in  the  nursery  business  at  his  original  location  in  I'ort 
Dodge  until  1872,  in  which  year  he  sold  out  his  ])lace  there  and 
bought  the  property  where  the  North  l-'loral  Company  now 
stands.  Here  he  operated  a  small  enterprise  and  continued  there 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  March  9,  1888.  His  wife  sur- 
vived him  a  number  of  years,  dying  on  the  9th  of  March,  1901. 
Mrs.  Haviland  was  a  sister  of  Myra  Bradwell,  who  was  the  foun- 
der of  the  Chicago  Legal  News  and  had  the  distinction  of  being 
the  first  woman  to  ask  to  be  admitted  to  the  bar.  She  was  a  cul- 
tured and  educated  woman  and  had  passed  her  legal  examination 
l)ut  was  refused  admittance  on  account  of  her  being  married.  She 
educated  a  young  lady,  however,  and  succeeded  in  gaining  the  hit- 
ter's admittance  to  the  bar.  W.  C.  Haviland  is  one  of  four  chil- 
dren born  to  his  parents.  The  others  are  :  Perry  A.,  born  in  Iowa, 
who  is  now  a  civil  engineer  and  county  surveyor  of  Alameda 
county,  California,  where  he  is  working  for  the  government ;  Mrs. 
Mary  E.  Humphrey,  who  resides  in  Sioux  City,  Iowa;  and  Mrs. 
Lucy  J.  Black,  whose  home  is  at  Parshall,  Colorado. 

W.  C.  Haviland  w'as  reared  in  Iowa  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  supplemented  his  primary  course  by 
a  period  at  the  Iowa  State  Agricultural  College  at  Ames,  Iowa, 
and  later  studied  business  methods  in  a  commercial  college  at 
Des  Moines.  Upon  finishing  his  education  he  went  to  Chicago, 
where  he  accepted  a  position  as  actuary,  examining  insurance 
companies  for  the  state  of  Illinois.    His  office  was  located  at  206 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  229 

La  Salle  street  and  he  was  prosperous  in  this  line  of  occupation 
for  one  year.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Iowa  and 
went  into  the  general  mercantile  business  at  Manson,  where  he 
conducted  a  store  with  gratifying  success  for  one  year.  He  then 
came  to  Fort  Dodge  and  engaged  in  the  l)uying  and  selling  of 
grain  in  partnership  with  his  cousin  and  uncle.  This  phase  of  his 
activity  extended  over  one  3'ear  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  the 
three  partners  went  to  Colorado,  where  they  operated  an  exten- 
sive sheep  ranch  twenty  miles  northeast  of  Colorado  Springs. 
They  there  remained  from  1875  until  1876,  returning  in  the  lat- 
ter year  to  Fort  Dodge.  Mr.  Haviland  then  started  a  notion 
store,  which  was  located  where  the  Plymouth  Clothing  Store 
now  stands,  and  was  successful  in  this  line  for  one  year.  He 
eventually  sold  out  and  became  associated  with  his  father  as  a 
traveling  salesman.  The  state  of  Iowa  was  at  that  time  still 
sparsely  settled  and  Air.  Haviland  can  remember  driving  for  days 
at  a  time  without  seeing  a  single  house.  He  continued  working 
in  the  interests  of  his  father  until  1879,  in  which  year  he  asso- 
ciated himself  with  H.  C.  Bradwell,  of  New  York  city,  in  a  whole- 
sale nursery  business.  They  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  which  constitutes  the  farm  upon  which  Mr.  Haviland 
now  lives  in  Cooper  township,  and  set  out  fruit  trees.  They  were 
successful  from  the  beginning  and  soon  had  extensive  interests  in 
orchard  jjropertv  in  Iowa.  They  owned  four  hundred  acres  near 
Humboldt,  and  their  Inisiness  became  more  important  every 
year.  In  the  fall  of  1885  they  shipped  out  two  million  apple 
trees  to  markets  all  over  the  United  States.  They  continueil 
together  until  looo,  in  whicli  year  the  |)artnership  was  dissolved. 
Mr.  Haviland  coiuiiuied  in  the  nursery  business  alone,  operating 
in  a  smaller  way.  He  is  now  engaged  entirely  in  the  growing 
and  selling  of  fruit  and  owns  one  of  the  best  orchards  in  the  state. 
He  has  one  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  planted  almost  en- 
tirely in  apples.  He  is  known  as  an  expert  in  anything  pertaining 
to  the  planting  and  care  of  fruits  and  to  his  efficient  and  intelli- 
gent methods  of  labor  he  owes  his  success.  Most  of  his  apples 
he  ships  to  the  Minneapolis  markets  and  in  the  fall  of  1912  sold 
sixteen  carloads  in  that  city. 

On  March  26,  1884,  Mr.  Haviland  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  Martin,  a  daughter  of  David  E.  and  Clara  (Reeve) 
Martin,  the  former  of  New  York  and  the  latter  of  Massachusetts. 
David  Martin  came  to  Illinois  in  pioneer  times  and  worked  at  his 


230  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

trade  as  shoemaker  in  Princeton.  He  later  engaged  in  the  real- 
estate  business  and  became  prominent  in  politics,  serving  with 
efficiency  and  ability  as  sheriff  of  Bureau  county.  He  lived  in 
Princeton  until  his  death,  in  April,  1903.  His  wife  survived  him 
for  four  3'ears,  dying  in  January,  1907.  To  Mr.  Haviland"s  first 
marriage  was  born  one  child,  Andrew  J.,  whose  birth  occurred 
on  December  16,  1885,  and  who  is  now  living  in  Des  Moines, 
Iowa,  where  he  is  operating  a  tree  surgery  business.  The  first 
Mrs.  Haviland  died  on  December  16,  1903,  after  an  illness  of  two 
years.  On  September  16.  1906.  our  subject  was  again  married, 
his  second  union  being  with  Mrs.  Rowena  (Angier)  Barber,  a 
daughter  of  Charles  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Angier,  natives  of  Xew 
York.  Mrs.  Haviland's  father  was  among  the  early  settlers  of 
Iowa  and  locatetl  in  the  western  part  of  the  state  at  Garnavillo. 
where  the  wife  of  our  subject  was  born.  He  was  a  carpenter  by 
trade  and  worked  at  this  line  of  occupation  until  1864,  when  he 
moved  to  Storm  Lake,  Iowa_.  and  followed  the  same  line  until 
1893.  I'l  t'l'^t  year  he  went  to  Tennessee  and  resided  in  that  state 
until  his  death,  in  February,  1897.  His  wife  passed  away  in 
1890. 

In  politics  Mr.  Ha\iland  is  republican  but  has  never  sought 
public  office.  He  and  his  wife  affiliate  with  the  Baptist  church 
and  are  active  religious  workers.  Judged  by  every  standard  Mr. 
Haviland  has  been  a  successful  man.  The  work  he  does  he  does 
well,  accomplishing  his  pros])erity  by  a  thorough  knowledge  of 
every  aspect  of  his  business,  by  personal  super\ision  and  atten- 
tion to  its  details  and  by  practical  and  intclligcnl  labor. 


G.  F.  SPRIXGER. 


G.  F.  Springer  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of 
one  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  land  located  on  section  34,  Roland 
township,  Webster  county.  Iowa.  He  was  born  in  Stark  county, 
Illinois,  July  30.  i860,  and  is  a  si  n  of  David  and  Marv  Catherine 
(Chandler)  Springer.  l)oth  cf  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio.  The 
father  was  of  Pennsylxania  Dutch  ancestry  and  when  a  child  re- 
moved to  Illinois  with  his  parents  who  settled  in  Stark  county. 
In  1875  lie  came  to  Iowa,  making  the  journey  by  wagon  and 
being  eleven  days  on  the  road.      Upon  reaching  this  state  he  set- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  231 

tied  near  Paton,  Greene  CDuntw  on  wild  land  which  he  improved 
and  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  1882.  He  then  removed 
to  \\'ebster  county  and  there  located  on  unimproved  land  on  sec- 
tion 34,  Roland  township.  That  .property  he  improved  with  good 
buildings  and  there  he  continued  to  live  until  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  ]\Iarch,  1909.  During  his  residence  in 
Iowa  he  acquired  a  considerable  amount  of  land,  but  at  the  time 
of  his  death  he  had  disposed  of  all  his  real  estate  except  sixty 
acres,  on  which  property  his  widow  still  lives.  They  were  the 
parents  of  si.x  children :  James  H.,  deceased ;  Marion,  a  resident 
of  Roland  township;  G.  F.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Christina 
Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  \V.  A.  Young  and  residing  in  Fort  Dodge, 
Iowa ;  Elmer,  who  is  operating  the  old  homestead ;  and  Martha  Luella, 
deceased. 

G.  F.  Springer  was  reared  at  home  and  receix'ed  his  education 
in  Stark  county,  Illinois,  and  Greene  county,  Iowa.  He  remained 
under  the  parental  roof  and  was  eiigaged  in  work  on  his  father's 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age.  He  then  purchased 
a  farm  located  on  section  34  in  Roland  township.  The  land  at 
that  time  was  without  any  improvements  and  since  his  residence 
on  the  property  Mr.  Springer  has  improved  it  with  all  necessary 
buildings  and  has  brought  the  farm  to  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. He  now  owns  one  hundred  and  ten  acres  and  in  his  farm- 
ing operations  he  has  met  w  ith  gratifying  success. 

In  1887  Mr.  Springer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha 
.\mine  Jackson,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Lydia  (Cooper) 
Jackson.  The  father  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  mother 
of  Ohio.  They  came  to  Illinois  at  an  earl\-  date  and.  in  1881.  re- 
mo\-ed  to  Iowa  and  located  on  an  unini])ro\-ed  farm,  one  mile 
northwest  of  Gowrie.  where  they  remained  until  i8(ji.  at  which 
time  they  removed  to  Lake  \'iew.  Sac  county,  Iowa,  and  there 
spent  the  remaining  years  <  f  their  'ives.  The  mother  died  in 
1907  and  the  father  in  iijii.  .Mrs.  Jackson  had  ])reviouslv  mar- 
ried William  Karr  and  to  that  union  four  children  were  born: 
Merritt  Lee,  a  resident  of  Lake  Yiew,  Iowa;  David  W.,  of  Kan- 
sas; Maud,  the  wife  of  D.  A.  Gillis  of  Creston.  Illinois:  and  Laura. 
deceased.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  Jackson  four  children  were 
born:  Wilmulh  Celia.  deceased:  Martha  .\mine.  the  wife  of  tlie 
subject  of  this  sketch;  John  W..  a  resident  of  Lockhart.  Minne- 
sota ;  and  Melville,  who  makes  his  home  in  Lake  View,  Iowa.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  G.  F.  Springer  are  the  parents  of  three  children :  Vin- 


232  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

nie  Grace,  who  died  at  the  age  of  nine  years;  IMaudie  Mae,  a  grad- 
uate of  the  Gowrie  high  school;  and  Clarence  Franklin,  who  is 
attending  the  public  schools. 

Mr.  Springer  is  affiliated  with  the  republican  party  and  has 
served  as  trustee  of  Roland  township  for  one  year.  He  has  also 
been  in  the  office  of  school  director  for  two  or  three  years.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  of  Gowrie  and 
he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church.  Mr. 
Springer  is  an  enterprising,  successful  farmer,  and  a  man  well 
respected  in  the  community  in  which  he  lives. 


THOMAS  F.  SIMS. 


Thomas  F.  Sims,  one  of  the  organizers  and  cashier  of  the 
I'armers  Savings  Bank,  takes  high  rank  among  the  business  men 
of  Duncombe  by  reason  of  his  efficiency  and  enterprise,  which 
enable  him  to  carry  to  a  successful  issue  anything  he  undertakes. 
A  native  of  Mitchell  county,  his  birth  occurred  in  Orchard  on 
August  28,  1873,  his  parents  being  Daniel  and  Bridgett  (Gibbons) 
Sims.  They  were  born  and  reared  in  Ireland,  whence  the  father 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  his  early  manhood,  first  locat- 
mg  in  Illinois.  I'rom  there  he  removed  to  Mitchell  county,  this 
state,  locating  at  Orchard,  where  for  many  years  he  held  the 
position  of  section  foreman  on  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad.  He 
resided  in  Orchard  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  August, 
1906,  his  energies  being  devoted  to  railroading.  He  was  sur- 
vived b}-  the  niDther,  who  passed  away  in  1908. 

Reared  at  home.  Thomas  F.  Sims  began  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  of  his  native  town  and  completed  it  in  Cedar  Val- 
ley Seminary,  at  Osage,  this  state.  He  subsequently  learned 
telegraphy  and  when  ciualiticd  for  a  jjosition  entered  the  enijiloy 
of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad,  remaining  in  their  service  until 
1901.  He  was  made  station  agent,  and  his  last  appointment  in 
this  capacity  was  at  Duncoml)e.  He  resigned  his  position  in  1901 
and  in  June  of  that  year  bought  out  the  general  mercantile  estab- 
lishment of  Lundy  &  Son.  This  was  his  first  venture  in  com- 
mercial pursuits,  but  he  is  a  practical  man  of  good  judgment  and 
keen  discernment  in  matters  of  business  and  made  a  success  of 
the  undertaking.     Disposing  of  his  store  in  the  spring  of  1908.  he 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  233 

engaged  in  the  banking  business  and  in  October,  191 1,  organized 
the  Farmers  Savings  Bank,  with  a  capital  stock  of  fifteen  thou- 
sand dollars.  It  is  one  of  tlie  well  established  thriving  financial 
institutions  of  the  state,  its  officials  all  being  reputable  business 
men  of  reliable  methods  and  recognized  standing.  William  Mal- 
Jinger  is  president :  E.  T.  Davidson,  vice  president :  and  Mr. 
Sims,  cashier. 

In  August,  1901,  Mr.  Sims  was  married  to  Miss  Rose  Latta,  a 
daughter  of  Johnson  and  Elizabeth  Latta,  and  to  them  have  been 
born  three  children:  Roland,  who  is  eight  years  of  age;  Johnson, 
who  has  passed  the  fourth  anniversary  of  his  liirth  ;  and  Florence, 
who  has  passed  her  second  birthday. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sims  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  and  fraternally  he  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus, Catholic  Order  of  F'oresters  and  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America.  His  allegiance  in  matters  ])olitic  he  accords  to  the 
democratic  party,  and  he  has  on  se\eral  occasions  been  called 
to  public  office.  For  seven  years  he  held  the  office  of  city  treas- 
urer, meeting  the  responsibilities  of  his  position  in  a  highly  com- 
mendable manner,  while  he  ser\'ed  with  ecjual  efficiency  as  mayor. 
Mr.  Sims  is  a  man  of  fine  discernment,  keen  discrimination  and 
unfaltering  purpose,  all  of  which  are  manifested  in  his  care- 
fully considered  plans  and  well  organized  methods  of  procedure 
in  his  business  transactions.  Although  he  is  conservative  in  his 
methods  he  has  too  much  confidence  in  his  foresight  and  powers 
of  organization  to  make  him  unduly  cautious;  at  the  same  time 
he  does  not  overestimate  his  ability  as  is  evidenced  by  the  orderly 
progress  he  has  made  in  his  business  career. 


GEORGE  W.  MASON. 


Nature  seems  to  iiave  intended  that  in  the  evening  of  life  man 
.shall  enjoy  a  periofl  of  rest.  At  an  early  age  he  is  fired  with  the 
ambition,  the  zeal  and  the  courage  of  youth  ;  to  these,  in  time, 
are  added  the  experience  and  sound  judgment  of  mature  man- 
hood; and  then,  if  labor  is  intelligently  directed,  success  is  cer- 
tain, enabling  the  individual  in  his  later  years  to  ])ut  aside  the 
more  arduous  cares  of  earlier  manhood.  Such  has  been  the  record 
of  George  W.  Mason,  who  is  living  retired,  in  Fort  Dodge,  his 


234  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

home  being  at  Xo.  902  First  a\'enue,  South.  He  was  born  in 
Canandaigua,  Ontario  county,  Xew  York,  July  18,  1838,  and  is  a 
son  of  Dennison  R.  and  Mary  (Brandt)  Mason,  who  were  also 
natives  of  the  Empire  state.  The  father  was  reared  upon  a  farm 
in  Ontario  county.  New  Y'ork,  and  was  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Han- 
naii  (Herindeen)  Mason.  Samuel  Mason  was  a  native  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  made  farming  his  life  work.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
were  of  the  Quaker  faith  and  they  died  within  the  same  week,  in 
May,  1842,  when  well  advanced  in  years.  They  had  five  chil- 
dren, Dennison  R.,  Gardner,  Selinda.  Mercy  and  Mary.  The 
maternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  Mason  Brandt,  who  was 
born  at  Kinderhook,  Xew  York,  and  married  Phoebe  Knapp.  The 
latter  had  been  adopted  by  the  Chapin  family  at  Canandaigua. 
which  family  had  charge  of  the  treaties  and  the  payment  of  six 
Indian  natidus  there.  Mason  I'.randt  was  of  Holland  Dutch 
descent  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  \\'ar  of  1812.  He  made  farming 
his  life  work  and  became,  in  time,  the  owner  of  one  of  the  best  cul- 
tivated tracts  of  land  in  liis  ])art  of  the  state.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  died  in  tlie  east.  tJie  former  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight  years 
and  the  latter  when  eighty-seven  years  of  age.  They  were  the 
parents  of  six  children,  Alexander,  Samuel,  George,  Mary.  Betsy 
Elizabeth  and  Laura. 

D.  R.  Mason  was  reared  on  a  farm  in  Ontario  county,  Xew 
York,  and  later  became  a  lumlierman  of  Grand  Rapids,  Wiscon- 
sin, and  of  Chip|)ewa  I'alls,  in  the  same  state.  The  last  ten  years 
of  his  life  were  spent  in  Monroe  county.  X'cw  York,  where  he 
died  in  1883  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  He  was  originally 
a  Quaker  but  later  he  Ijecame  identified  with  the  Congregational 
church.  Tn  liis  family  were  six  children,  five  of  whom  lived  to 
maturity:  Hannah  E..  of  Fairport,  Xew  York:  Samuel,  deceased: 
George  \\'..  of  this  review;  Harvey,  of  Beatrice,  X'ebraska;  Ben- 
jamin F.,  deceased ;  and  Byron,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years. 
George  W.  Mason  was  twelve  years  of  age  when  he  left  Ontario 
county,  Xew  York,  and  accompanied  his  parents  to  \N'isconsin, 
where  he  was  reared  to  manhood.  He  acquired  his  education  in 
the  Iieart  of  the  lumber  woods  of  that  state  and  in  early  life  be- 
came a  lumberman,  which  occupation  he  followed  from  1850  until 
1864.  He  was  a  lad  of  only  twelve  years  when  he  thus  began  to 
earn  his  living  and  he  has  since  been  dependent  upon  his  own 
resources  for  a  livelihood.  In  1864,  he  returned  to  New  York 
and  lived  in  Monroe  county  until   iSy2.  when  he  came  to  Fort 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  235 

Dodge,  Iowa,  and  was  tliere  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in 
partnership  with  his  brother  Benjamin  for  eighteen  months.  At 
the  end  of  that  time  he  turned  iiis  attention  to  the  hve-stock  busi- 
ness, handling  both  cattle  and  hogs  for  a  time.  For  thirty-one 
years  he  conducted  a  lumber  Inisiness  in  which  he  is  still  inter- 
ested. His  brother  Benjamin  passed  away  in  1902.  While  Mr. 
Mason  still  has  financial  connections  with  the  lumljer  tratlc  he 
leaves  the  management  of  his  business  largely  to  others  and  has 
practically  retired.  He  is  enjoying  well  earned  rest  for  his  suc- 
cess followed  earnest,  persistent,  indefatigable  effort  and  straight- 
forward dealing.  He  early  grasped  the  eternal  truth  that  indus- 
lr\-  wins,  and  industry  became  the  lieacon  light  of  his  life. 

On  the  26th  of  December,  1872,  George  W.  Mason  married 
Miss  Hannah  O'Connell,  a  daughter  of  Richard  and  Margaret 
(Dobbyns)  O'Connell.  Mrs.  Mason  was  born  in  Franklin  county, 
New  York,  and  her  parents  were  natives  of  County  Cork,  Ire- 
land. While  crossing  the  Atlantic  to  America,  on  the  same  ves- 
sel, her  father  and  mother  met  for  the  first  time  and  were  mar-  ■ 
ried  in  Malone,  Franklin  county,  New  York,  where  they  lived 
until  called  to  their  final  rest.  They  were  farming  people,  well 
known  in  the  community,  \\  here  they  reared  nine  sons  and  a 
daughter,  namely:  Maurice  D. :  John  G. ;  William;  Richard  S. ; 
Edmund ;  Hannah ;  Daniel ;  George  P. ;  and  two  who  died  in 
infancy.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  Mrs.  Mason  was  Maurice 
O'Connell.  who  married  Nellie  Kent  and  had  six  children,  Mau- 
rice, John,  Richard,  Catherine,  Betsy  and  Hannah.  The  maternal 
grandparents  were  Edmund  and  Margaret  (Jeffrey)  Dobbyns, 
who  had  six  children,  John,  W^illiam,  Ellen,  Margaret,  Betsy 
and  Nora.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  W.  Mason  have  been  born 
three  children  but  the  eldest,  Nellie,  died  when  about  five  months 
old.  The  others  are  Georgia  Anna  and  Margaret  Mary,  both 
graduates  of  Smith  College  at  Northampton,  Massachusetts.  The 
elder  is  the  wife  of  Edward  Orne  Damon,  an  able  architect  with 
headquarters  in  W^ashington,  D.  C,  and  they  have  a  son,  Mason 
Orne  Damon.  The  younger  daughter  is  the  wife  of  John  Flaire, 
Jr.,  of  Fort  Dodge,  and  they  have  one  son,  George  Mason  Haire. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mason  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  George 
W^.  Mason  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Columbus,  while  his  politi- 
cal allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party.  Tie  has  been  a 
leading  spirit  in  the  encouragement  of  industries  and  in  bringing 
about   public   imprnvcnicnts   which    ha\c    figured    iiromiiiently    in 


236  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

the  development  and  growth  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  was  instru- 
mental in  securing  the  building  of  the  handsome  Wahkonsa 
Hotel  and  he  developed  a  large  lumber  industry  here.  His  inter- 
ests have  always  been  of  a  character  that  contributes  to  public 
prosperity.  He  early  realized  that  there  is  no  advancement  in 
life  without  effort.  Life  afifords  opportunities  for  physical,  men- 
tal and  spiritual  development  and  in  this  country  these  oppor- 
tunities are  ofYered  to  any  who  will  embrace  them.  Humljle  birth 
and  poverty  are  no  handicap  to  the  American  youth.  Opportuni- 
ties, however,  slip  away  from  the  sluggard  and  tauntingly  play 
before  the  dreamer  but  surrender  to  the  individual  of  high  pur- 
pose, undaunted  courage  and  indefatigable  determination.  The 
possession  of  the  latter  qualities  has  brought  George  W.  Mason 
to  a  prominent  and  honored  place  among  the  successful  and  highly 
respected  residents  of  Fort  Dodge. 


OWEX  DWYER. 


Owen  Dwyer,  who  is  associated  with  his  brother  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  a  farm  of  a  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Douglas  town- 
ship, has  been  identified  with  the  agricultural  development  of 
Webster  county  from  boyhood.  He  was  born  on  tiie  farm  where 
he  now  lives  on  the  5th  of  July.  1873,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and 
.\nna  (Bray)  Dwyer,  natives  of  Ireland.  The  father  came  to 
America  in  his  early  manhood  and  settled  in  New  York  state. 
From  there  he  proceeded  to  Illinois  and  then  went  to  St.  Louis, 
where  he  was  living  at  the  opening  of  the  Civil  war.  He  en- 
listed in  Company  M,  P'irst  Missouri  Cavalry,  remaining  in  the 
service  for  three  years.  Upon  receiving  his  discharge  he  came 
to  Iowa  and  entered  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Douglas  township, 
this  county.  In  his  eflforts  to  develop  his  farm  he  encountered 
the  usual  obstacles  and  discouragements  that  fall  to  the  lot  of 
the  average  pioneer.  Despite  his  difficulties,  however,  he  more 
than  held  his  own  and  each  year  marked  an  improvement  in  his 
circumstances.  He  was  subsequently  able  to  buy  an  adjoining 
tract  of  forty  acres,  making  his  holding  aggregate  a  hundred  and 
twenty  acres.  The  further  improvement  and  cultivation  of  his 
property  engaged  his  undivided  attention  until  he  passed  away  in 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  237 

1876.  Tlie  mother  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  sixty-three  and  con- 
tinues to  make  her  residence  on  the  homestead  with  her  sons. 

Owen  Dwyer  has  very  little  recollection  of  his  father,  as  he 
was  a  child  of  only  two  and  one-half  years  when  he  passed  away. 
His  boyhood  and  youth  were  passed  on  the  home  place,  his  edu- 
cation being  acquired  in  the  local  schools.  When  old  enough  to 
become  self-supporting,  his  text-books  were  laid  aside  and  he  went  to 
work.  For  ten  years,  thereafter  he  was  employed  by  various  farmers 
in  this  vicinity,  but  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  and  his 
brother  took  charge  of  the  home  place,  which  is  held  in  common 
by  the  motlier  and  children,  the  property  never  having  been 
divided.  They  engage  in  diversified  farming  and  stock-raising 
with  very  good  success.  They  annually  prepare  about  thirty- 
five  head  of  hogs  for  the  market  and  keep  seven  cows  and  eight 
head  of  horses. 

Owen  Dwj^er  is  a  devout  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church  and  fraternally  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of  Columbus, 
being  affiliated  with  the  council  at  Fort  Dodge.  Politically  he 
supports  the  democratic  ticket  and  is  now  serving  as  township 
trustee  and  has  been  one  of  the  school  directors.  Mr.  Dwyer  has 
proven  to  be  an  efficient  public  servant,  discharging  his  duties 
promptly  and  faithfully,  thus  fulfilling  the  expectations  of  his 
friends  and  fellow  townsmen,  who  gave  him  their  support. 


HARLOW  AIUNSON  PRATT. 

Harlow  Munson  Pratt  was  born  in  Otho  township,  Webster 
county,  Iowa,  October  21,  1876.  He  is  a  son  of  Luther  Herbert  and 
Vergenia  L.  (Markham)  Pratt.  When  he  was  about  one  year  of  age, 
his  parents  moved  to  Charlotte,  Clinton  county,  Iowa.  In  1886  they 
returned  to  Webster  county,  and  the  father  engaged  in  farming.  Here 
the  son  spent  most  of  his  boyhood,  farming  with  his  father.  His  early 
education  was  received  in  the  village  school  at  Charlotte,  and  later  in 
the  "Old  Number  One"  school  of  Otho  township.  Then,  in  the  win- 
ter of  1893,  he  attended  Tobin  College,  and  again  in  1894,  helping  on 
the  farm  during  the  summer.  In  the  fall  of  1896,  he  entered  Tobin 
College  and  graduated  from  the  normal  department  with  tlie  class  of 
1897.  For  two  years  he  taught  school,  first  in  the  Hudson  school  in 
Otho  township,  and  then  in  the  I-'laherty  school  in  Douglas  township. 


238  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

In  1899  'is  entered  tlie  University  of  Iowa.  Here  he  spent  six  years, 
graduating  from  both  tlie  college  of  liberal  arts  and  tlie  college  of 
law.  \\  hen  at  the  uni\ersity  he  became  interested  in  newspaper  work, 
and  held  both  the  position  of  editor  and  manager  of  the  Daily  lowan 
He  was  also  city  editor  of  the  Iowa  Citizen  for  one  year. 

On  January  i,  1902.  he  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Allie  To- 
bin,  daughter  of  the  late  Professor  T.  Tobin.  founder  of  Tobin  Col- 
lege. Mrs.  Pratt  was  bom  at  \'inton.  Iowa.  Marcii  5.  1879.  With 
the  founding  of  the  college  at  Fort  Dodge  she  removed  to  this  city 
in  1892.  She  graduated  from  the  college  in  1895.  and  later  took  up 
commercial  work,  luitering  the  IiTvva  State  Normal  School  in  the 
fall  of  1899,  she  graduated  the  following  summer.  At  different  times 
she  has  been  a  teacher  both  in  Tobin  College  and  the  I'urt  Dodge  pub- 
lic schools.  During  the  year  1901  .she  entered  the  University  of  Iowa, 
becoming  a  member  of  the  same  class  as  Mr.  Pratt.  Together  they 
graduated  in  1903,  and  while  Mr.  Pratt  studied  law,  Mrs.  Pratt  took 
lip  graduate  work,  receiving  a  Master's  degree  in  1905.  the  same  year 
that  Mr.  Pratt  received  his  degree  from  the  college  of  law.  In  the  fall 
of  1905  they  became  residents  of  the  city  of  I'ort  Dodge,  and  Mr. 
Pratt  began  the  practice  of  law. 

Both  he  and  Mrs.  Pratt  have  identified  themselves  with  the  life  of 
the  city,  and  are  meml)ers  of  a  number  of  clubs  and  fraternal  societies. 
F'or  the  past  five  years  Mr.  Pratt  has  held  the  office  of  secretary  of 
tlie  Fort  Dodge  Commercial  Club.  Both  he  and  Mrs.  Pratt  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  church.  Politically  Mr.  Pratt  has  always 
been  a  republican. 


kUFLS  P.  HUNri;i 


For  many  years  Rufus  P.  Hunter  figured  as  one  of  the  enter- 
jjrising  and  prosperous  agriculturists  of  Webster  county  and  was, 
furthermore,  know'n  as  a  citizen  of  genuine  worth,  loyal  to  the 
principles  of  honorable  manhood  and  ])rogressive  citizenship. 
His  death,  therefore,  was  the  occasion  of  deep  regret  to  the  many 
who  were  glad  to  call  him  friend.  He  was  born  in  Botetourt 
county,  Virginia,  September  30.  T838,  his  ])arents  being  Lewis 
C.  and  Rebecca  (Linkioker)  Hunter.  The  Hunter  family  comes 
of  Scotch  -English  ancestry  and  the  grandfather.  Francis  Hunter, 
was  a  prosperous  pl.intcr  of  \'irginia.     He  was  one  of  five  broth- 


K.  P.  HUNTER 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  241 

ers  who  came  to  America  and  settled  in  that  state.  His  son, 
Lewis  C.  Hunter,  was  born  in  tiie  Old  Dominion  in  1799  and 
there  resided  until  1856,  when  he  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Ma- 
rion county,  where  he  followed  farming  throughout  the  remain- 
der of  his  life,  passing  away  January  29.  1879.  His  wife,  also  a 
native  of  Virginia,  died  in  Alarion  county  in  August,  1882,  and 
both  were  laid  to  rest  there.  In  their  family  were  five  sons,  of 
whom  Rufus  P.  Hunter  was  the  eldest.  Joseph  F.,  the  second 
son,  now  deceased,  served  throughout  the  Civil  war  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Thirty-third  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry.  Samuel  L.  is 
engaged  in  the  milling  and  machiner}-  business  at  Swan,  Iowa. 
Edward  died  in  his  youth.  Albert  L.,  who  completes  the  family, 
resides  in  Lincoln  county,  Kansas. 

Rufus  P.  Hunter  attended  a  private  school  in  Virginia,  acquaint- 
ing himself  with  those  branches  of  learning  which  usually  con- 
stitute the  public-school  curriculum.  He  came  with  his  parents 
to  Iowa,  making  the  trip  by  wagon,  and  remained  under  the 
parental  roof  until  twenty-seven  years  of  age.  For  about  six 
years  thereafter  he  engaged  in  farming  in  Marion  county  and 
subsequently  came  to  \\'ebster  county,  settling  on  the  tract  of 
land  whereon  his  remaining  days  were  passed.  His  farm  was 
situated  on  section  26,  Roland  township,  and  was  an  unim- 
proved tract  when  it  came  into  his  possession,  but  he  con\erted 
the  raw  prairie  into  rich  fields  and  developed  an  excellent  farm 
property.  He  first  built  a  small  house  and  little  stable,  boarded 
the  sides  and  covered  it  with  a  thatched  roof.  His  first  purchase 
comprised  but  eighty  acres  of  land  but  to  that  he  gradually 
added  until  his  holdings  embraced  three  hundred  and  si.xty  acres. 
On  tlie  farm  he  ])lantcd  trees,  erected  excellent  liuildings  and 
ecjuipped  his  place  with  all  modern  conveniences  and  accessories. 
For  many  years  he  was  engaged  extensively  in  general  farming 
and  in  the  raising  of  thoroughbred  stock,  formcrl)-  making  a 
si)ccialty  of  horses  ;inil  cattle  but  afterward  giving  his  attention 
more  largely  to  raising  hogs.  He  also  engaged  in  selling  fruit 
trees  and  plants  throughout  this  district  and  for  three  or  four 
years  conducted  an  implement  business,  having  his  heatlquarters 
on  his  farm.  Flis  sons  are  now  engaged  in  the  machinery  busi- 
ness and  also  own  and  operate  a  threshing  outfit. 

In  Marion  county,  Iowa.  March  22.  1866,  Mr.  Hunter  was 
married  to  Miss  Rachel  Metcalf,  who  was  born  in  Kosciusko 
county,  Indiana,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Sarah   (Heck)   Met- 

Vol.  U— 14 


242  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

calf,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  that  state.  In  1854  they  re- 
moved by  wagon  to  Marion  county,  wiiere  their  remaining  days 
were  spent,  tlie  father  passing  away  March  3,  1887,  at  the  age  of 
seventy-one,  and  the  mother  September  19,  1866,  at  the  age  of 
hfty-nine.  In  tlieir  family  were  n-.ne  children:  Isaac,  Daniel, 
Morris,  Franklin,  John,  James.  Elizalieth,  Mrs.  Rachel  Hunter 
and  Mary.  Mrs.  Hunter  was  educated  in  the  common  schools 
and  remained  with  her  ])arents  imtil  her  marriage.  She  became 
the  mother  of  eight  chlidren:  I'Lha  E.len.  who  died  in  infancy; 
Charles  \'.,  who  resides  at  Callender,  Iowa,  and  married  Betsey 
Osterson,  by  whom  he  lias  one  child.  Roy  Harold;  Warren  D. ; 
Mosier  D.,  of  Roland  township,  who  married  Emma  Osterson 
and  has  four  children.  Ruby  I'rauces.  Earl.  Ernest  James  and 
Russell;  Gran  ().  and  W  ilham  \\  ..  who  operate  the  home  farm; 
Maude  I'earl.  who  is  a  graduate  of  Tobin  College  of  I-'ort  Dodge, 
Iowa,  and  is  the  wife  of  William  Croker.  of  Toston,  Montana,  by 
whom  she  has  three  children.  Rachel  Marie,  Frances  May  and 
William  Rufus;  and  Grover  C,  who  in  the  spring  of  1912,  married 
Miss  Cora  Kingry  and  li\es  near  the  old  home  farm. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hunter  was  a  democrat  and  served  as  justice 
of  the  peace  for  twelve  years.  He  was  ever  much  interested  in 
educational  affairs  and  for  many  years  served  as  a  member  of 
the  school  board,  acting  as  its  ])resi(lent  for  sixteen  years.  b"ra- 
ternally  he  was  identified  with  the  Woodmen  of  the  World,  be- 
longing to  Callender  Lodge.  He  was  also  prominent  in  Masonic 
circles,  holding  membership  in  Cjowric  Lodge,  F.  &  A.  M. ;  in  the 
chapter  and  commandery  at  Fort  Dodge :  and  in  the  Temple  of 
the  Mystic  Shrine  at  Des  Moines.  All  of  his  sons  are  members 
of  the  Modern  Woodmen  i;f  America  and  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  and  Warren  Hunter  is  also  identified  with  the  Odd 
Fellows  and  the  Masons. 

Mr.  Hunter  may  well  have  been  called  a  self-made  man,  for  he 
started  out  in  life  empty-handed  and  by  his  persistency  and 
energ}'  worked  his  way  upward  to  a  prominent  place  among  the 
substantial  farmers  of  Webster  county.  He  merited  well  the 
success  that  came  to  him,  for  in  all  business  transactions  he  held 
to  the  highest  principles  of  honor  and  integrity.  He  was  a  man 
of  generous  imjiulses  and  never  forgot  the  hospitable  ways  of 
the  early  pioneer.  Xo  one  was  ever  turned  from  his  door  who 
sought  aid  or  shelter.  Throughout  his  life  he  was  true  to  every 
duty,  loyal  to  his  country  and  devoted  to  his  family  and  friends. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  243 

There  was  deep  and  sincere  sorrow  at  his  passing,  when  death 
called  him  on  the  30th  of  June,  1912.  Throughout  his  life  he 
manifested  elements  and  traits  of  character  worthy  of  respect 
and  the  world  is  better  for  his  having  lived. 


FRANK  CRAIG.  Sr. 


Frank  Craig,  Sr.,  is  operating  a  coal  mine  near  Kalo,  in  Otho 
township,  and  has  won  success  by  the  practical  application  of  his 
knowledge  and  experience.  He  has  been  a  miner  since  the  begin- 
ning of  his  active  career  and  for  many  years  worked  in  the  employ 
of  others  before  becoming  an  independent  owner.  He  is  today 
numbered  among  the  successful  men  of  his  district  and  his  pros- 
perity is  the  natural  result  of  his  ability  and  specialized  knowl- 
edge. Mr.  Craig  is  a  native  of  Wisconsin,  having  been  born  in 
this  state  in  1854,  a  son  of  Francis  and  Jane  (Coultard)  Craig, 
natives  of  England.  The  father  came  to  America  in  1850,  set- 
tling in  ^^'isconsin,  where  he  engaged  in  mining,  which  had 
been  his  occupation  in  his  native  country.  He  was  acti\e  in  the 
Wisconsin  lead  mines  but  finally  abandoned  his  connection  with 
this  industry  in  favor  of  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  pur- 
chased land  which  he  inipro\ed  and  operated  for  many  years, 
gaining  success  and  ])rosperity  as  a  general  farmer  and  retain- 
ing his  connection  with  this  occupation  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1894.  He  had  long  survived  his  wife,  who  passed 
away  in  1858. 

Frank  Craig,  Sr..  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wisconsin  and 
when  he  laid  aside  his  books  innnediatcly  began  working-  in  the 
lead  mines.  It  was  in  1878  that  lie  moved  to  Iowa,  settling  in 
Otlio  township,  where  he  worked  in  the  coal  mines  until  1887. 
In  that  year  he  returned  to  AVisconsin  and  operated  his  father's 
farm  for  nine  years,  after  which  he  again  came  to  Iowa  and  located 
at  Kalo.  Here  he  again  engaged  in  nn'ning.  operating  coal  banks 
independently  and  is  now  opening  up  a  new  mine  near  his  home. 

In  the  fall  of  1882  Mr.  Craig  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eva  Todd,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Lucy  (Shipley)  Todd,  and 
they  became  the  parents  of  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are  living 
but  Blanche,  who  passed  away  in  January.  1898.  The  others  are 
Pearl.  Belva.  William,  Lucv.  Frank.  Jr.,  Mvrtle,  Elsie  and  Harold. 


244  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Politically  j\Ir.  Craig  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic 
party  and  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  Otho  township  and  at  one  time 
served  as  school  director.  He  has  a  fine  home  in  the  village  and 
some  excellent  town  property,  besides  one  hundred  and  four 
acres  of  land  which  he  owns  in  partnership  with  ^\'illiam  and 
George  Lingard.  He  is  prominent  in  the  affairs  of  the  Independ- 
ent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  brings 
to  the  operation  of  his  mining  enterprises  a  practical  equipment 
in  the  technical  and  mechanical  details  of  the  occupation,  guided 
by  business  judgment  and  practical  common  sense.  He  has  many 
friends  in  this  section  of  Iowa,  where  his  business  ability  is  well 
known  and  where  his  personal  qualities  have  gained  for  him  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


GEORGE  R.  PEARSONS. 

George  R.  Pearsons  was  a  prominent  figure  in  the  development 
of  Fort  Dodge  along  material,  moral  and  social  lines,  and  among  his 
fellow  townsmen  no  man  was  more  honored  and  respected.  He  was 
one  of  the  pioneer  capitalists  and  land  owners  here  and  throughout 
the  period  of  his  residence  in  this  city  contributed  largely  to  general 
development  and  progress  while  promoting  individual  interests.  He 
was  born  August  7,  1830,  at  Bradford,  A^emiont.  and  came  of  a  dis- 
tinguished line  of  New  England  ancestry.  The  family  homestead 
being  at  Bradford. 

Tile  youth  of  George  R.  Pearsons  was  passed  on  the  old  home- 
stead. At  the  age  of  twenty  he  removed  to  Hartford,  Vermont,  where 
he  later  married  Miss  Wealthy  Porter,  a  niece  of  Judge  John  Porter, 
of  Quechee.  Mrs.  Pearsons'  death  in  1880  is  still  sorrowfully 
recalled  by  the  older  residents  of  I-"ort  Dodge.  They  became  the 
parents  of  four  children,  including  Louise,  the  widow  of  Senator  Jona- 
than P.  Dolliver.  In  1882  Mr.  Pearsons  married  Miss  L.  W.  Waldron, 
a  talented  and  highly  educated  woman,  who  survives  him. 

While  a  resident  of  Vennont  Mr.  Pearsons  spent  several  years 
in  the  employ  of  the  Vermont  Central  Railroad  Company  and  during 
nuich  of  his  life  was  connected  with  railroad  interests.  Before  his 
removal  to  the  west  he  had  filled  such  a  variety  of  positions  with  the 
Vermont  Central  that  he  had  thoroughly  mastered  the  intricate  de- 
tails of  railroading.    In  1865  he  was  attracted  to  Illinois  by  the  oflfer 


GEORGE  R.  PEARSONS 


'^  := 


>   X 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  245 

of  employment  as  agent  for  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  Company, 
with  the  management  of  its  lands  and  properties,  and  from  1865  until 
1868  he  lived  at  Livingston,  Illinois,  devoting  his  time  and  energies 
to  the  duties  of  his  position.  His  ability  and  practical  knowledge  in 
railroading  were  valuable  assets  to  him  at  a  later  period  in  his  career. 
This  was  demonstrated  years  afterward  when  with  six  other  resi- 
dents of  Fort  Dodge,  all  deeply  interested  in  the  progress  of  the  city, 
he  undertook  to  build,  equip  and  operate  the  Fort  Dodge  &  Fort 
Ridgely  Railroad,  which  is  now  a  part  of  the  Minneapolis  &  St.  Louis 
Railroad. 

On  his  removal  to  Fort  Dodge  Mr.  Pearsons  entered  upon  a  long 
and  honorable  career  which  made  him  prominent  in  that  city,  win- 
ning him  recognition  as  one  of  its  most  conspicuous  and  representa- 
tive men.  He  was  closely  associated  with  many  activities  here,  of 
both  a  public  and  private  character.  Appreciative  of  his  worth  and 
ability  his  fellow  townsmen  several  times  called  him  to  office  and  he 
was  twice  elected  and  served  as  mayor.  His  first  tenn  began  in  1873 
and  he  was  again  called  to  that  position  in  1890.  For  many  years 
he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  was  always  a  leader  in  any 
enterprise  which  sought  to  promote  the  material,  social  and  religious 
welfare  of  the  city.  He  passed  away  on  the  14th  of  July,  1904,  and 
his  death  deprived  Fort  Dodge  and  the  state  of  Iowa  of  a  distinguished 
and  representative  citizen. 


ERICK  BLOOM. 


A  w^ell  cultivated  and  highly  improved  farm  of  two  liundred  and 
eighty  acres  located  on  section  8,  Dayton  township,  pays  tribute 
to  the  agricultural  skill  and  efficient  management  of  Erick  Bloom, 
a  substantial  farmer  and  stockman  of  Webster  county.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Estrichland,  Sweden,  on  August  17,  1858,  and  there 
he  was  reared  to  the  age  of  nine  years.  His  parents,  Erick  and 
Bertha  (Parrison)  Bloom,  were  born,  reared  and  married  in 
Sweden,  where  the  father  followed  the  carpenter's  and  wagon 
maker's  trades  until  1867.  In  tlic  latter  year  he  emigrated  to  the 
United  States  with  his  family,  locating  two  miles  north  of  Ridge- 
port,  Webster  county,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for  two  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  rented  some  river  land  in  Har- 


246  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

din  township,  continuing  his  agricultural  pursuits  until  he  re- 
moved to  Dayton.  Here  he  passed  away  in  1881.  The  mother 
died  seven  years  previously.  The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bloom 
numbered  five,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  eldest.  The  others,  in 
order  of  birth,  are  as  follows:  Peter,  a  farmer  in  the  vicinit}^  of 
BufYord,  North  Dakota;  Christine,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Hayberg, 
a  farmer  in  the  vicinity  of  Barnum,  Minnesota;  Emma,  who  mar- 
ried Isaac  Anderson  of  Burlington,  Iowa ;  and  Celia,  the  wife  of 
Albert  Whiteman,  who  is  a  farmer  at  Pine  Blufifs,  Wyoming. 

Erick  Bloom  began  his  education  in  his  native  land  and  com- 
pleted it  in  the  district  schools  of  Iowa.  At  the  age  of  twelve 
years  he  became  a  wage  earner,  beginning  as  a  farm  hand,  but 
later  he  worked  in  the  coal  mines  at  Lehigh  for  a  time.  Although 
he  worked  out  in  tlie  summer  he  passed  his  winter  months  at 
home  until  he  was  twenty-four,  when  he  began  farming  as  a 
renter  in  Dayton  township.  He  followed  this  for  seven  years, 
meeting  with  such  lucrative  returns  that  in  INIarch,  1891,  he  was 
able  to  buy  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  that  formed  the 
nucleus  of  his  present  homestead.  Tiie  next  year  he  removed 
to  his  farm  and  has  ever  since  resided  there.  He  is  a  most  indus- 
trious man  and  energetically  applies  himself  to  anything  he  under- 
takes. As  he  directs  his  activities  with  intelligence  and  unusual 
foresight  and  sagacity  he  has  prospered  and  has  increased  his 
holdings  b}^  the  addition  of  another  forty  acres,  his  farm  now  em- 
l)racing  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  is  under 
cultivation  and  in  a  high  state  of  productivity.  In  1893,  Mr.  Bloom 
built  his  residence,  which  is  a  very  comfortable  and  attractive 
farm  house,  and  at  various  times  he  lias  installed  such  modern 
conveniences  and  appliances  on  his  place  as  are  consistent  with 
the  spirit  of  progress  he  has  at  all  times  manifested  in  his  busi- 
ness. In  connection  with  general  farming  he  raises  a  good  grade 
of  stock  which  he  feeds  for  market,  and  this  is  also  proving  a 
lucrative  undertaking. 

In  1886,  Mr.  Bloom  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Alice  Dowd, 
a  daughter  of  William  V.  and  Clarissa  Dowd,  pioneers  of  Day- 
ton township.  The  father,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  of  Irish  ex- 
traction, came  to  Iowa  in  1854,  locating  in  Madison  county.  The 
following  year  he  came  to  Dayton,  locating  on  a  farm  on  section 
21  of  this  township,  where  he  resided  until  his  death  in  June, 
1900.     The  mother  is  still  living  and  continues  to  reside  on  the 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  247 

farm.  She  was  a  widow  when  she  married  ]\Ir.  Dowd,  lier  first 
husband  having  been  Albert  Corbin.  Four  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dowd,  of  whom  Airs.  Bloom  is  the  eldest,  the 
others  are  as  follows :  \\'illiam  W.  and  Clara  F.,  twins,  the  former 
living  at  home  with  his  mother  and  the  latter  the  wife  of  Edward 
Putzke,  a  farmer  living  east  of  Dayton;  and  Amanda,  the  wife  of 
William  Chapman,  a  ditch,  tile  and  cement  contractor  of  Sac 
City,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bloom  have  four  children :  William 
v.,  who  is  twenty-four,  living  at  home  and  assisting  his  father 
with  the  work  of  the  farm;  Alaude,  who  is  twenty-two,  also  at 
home;  Dorothy  Iwana,  who  was  born  on  January  8,  1908;  and 
Violet  Bernice,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  30th  of  December, 
1910.  The  son,  William  V.,  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias. 

Mr.  Bloom  is  republican  in  his  political  views  and  has  been  a 
member  of  the  district  school  board  e\er  since  he  located  here, 
more  than  twenty  years  ago.  He  is  highly  esteemed  in  the  com- 
munity, where  he  has  ever  manifested  the  highest  integrity  in  his 
business  transactions  and  has  contributed  his  share  in  promoting 
its  development  and  progress. 


GEORGE  WILLIAM   FORTNEY. 

George  \\  illiam  Fortney,  one  of  the  representative  and  sub- 
stantial agriculturists  of  Webster  county,  owns  and  operates  a 
well  improved  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  on  sections  18  and  19, 
Otho  township.  His  birth  occurred  in  Georgetown,  Wisconsin, 
on  the  28th  of  October,  1865,  his  parents  being  David  and  Isabelle 
(Todd)  Fortney,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of 
England.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  followed 
farming  in  Wisconsin  and  also  worked  in  the  lead  mines  of  that 
state.  Flis  demise  occurred  at  Bigpatch,  Wisconsin.  David  Fort- 
ney accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Wisconsin  in 
the  '40s  and  in  that  state  obtained  his  education  and  was  reared 
to  manhood.  He  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home 
farm  and  subsequently  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Georgetown,  Wisconsin,  conducting  an  establishment  of  that 
character  there  until    iR^jS.     In  that  vear  he  came  to  Iowa   and 


248  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

took  up  a  tract  of  land  in  Buena  Vista  county  but  soon  abandoned 
the  place  and  came  to  Webster  county,  believing  that  he  could 
do  better  here.  He  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  on  the  present  site  of  the  town  of  Otho,  paying  twelve  dol- 
lars an  acre  for  the  property.  He  improved  the  same  and  was 
engaged  in  its  operation  until  1887,  when  he  rented  it  to  his  sons. 
During  the  remaining  years  of  his  life  he  conducted  a  general 
store,  devoted  considerable  attention  to  live-stock  interests  and 
also  did  an  extensive  grain  business.  His  demise  occurred  on  the 
17th  of  January,  1901,  after  a  residence  of  almost  a  third  of  a 
century  in  this  county,  and  the  community  lost  one  of  its  most 
respected  and  enterprising  citizens.  His  wife  was  called  to  her 
final  rest  November  23,  1901. 

George  William  Fortne}',  who  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth  of 
twelve  children,  obtained  his  education  in  Webster  county  and 
was  here  reared  to  manhood.  When  a  youth  of  fifteen  he  took 
charge  of  his  father's  farm,  operating  the  same  until  1893.  Dur- 
ing the  following  year  he  operated  a  ditching  machine  and  then 
spent  a  year  in  cultivating  the  McBain  farm  in  Elkhorn  town- 
ship, which  he  rented.  Subsequently  he  purchased  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Pocahontas  county,  Iowa,  operating  it 
for  two  years  and  then  leasing  the  property  and  returning  to 
Otho.  In  1899  he  disposed  of  the  tract  and  bought  the  old  home 
farm  in  Otho  township  as  well  as  an  additional  tract  of  forty-eight 
acres.  The  house  in  which  he  now  resides  was  erected  by  his 
father  but  he  has  improved  and  remodeled  the  same  consider- 
ably. His  landed  holdings  embrace  about  two  hundred  acres  of 
farm  property  on  sections  18  and  19  and  about  six  acres  laid  out 
in  town  lots.  In  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  his  property 
he  has  been  engaged  during  the  past  thirteen  years,  and  the  suc- 
cess which  has  attended  his  efforts  as  an  agriculturist  is  the 
merited  reward  of  industry,  energy  and  good  management.  He 
owns  an  interest  in  a  farm  near  Livermore  and  also  in  one,  foiu- 
miles  west  of  Badger,  holding  the  deed  to  both  properties.  He 
was,  formerly,  a  stockholder  in  the  Fort  Dodge  Pump  Company 
and  also  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Company  of  Otho,  acting  as  presi- 
dent and  director  of  the  latter. 

On  the  28th  of  November,  1887,  Mr.  Fortney  was  married  to 
Miss  Martha  Philips,  a  daughter  of  Oliver  and  Mary  (Robinson) 
Philips,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Syracuse,  New  York.  I\[r. 
and  Mrs.  Fortney  have  four  children,  as  follows:  Grace,  the  wife 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  249 

of  Guy  Rake,  a  telegraph  operator  living  in  W'ibanx.  Montana ; 
Arthur,  who  married  IMaud  Schnurr  and  resides  on  a  farm  in  Otho 
township,  Webster  county;  Florence,  the  wife  of  Stephen  Wood- 
bury, who  resides  on  a  farm  in  Otho  township;  and  Clyde,  who  is 
at  home. 

George  William  Fortney  votes  the  prohibition  ticket,  believing 
that  the  liquor  traffic  is  one  of  the  worst  evils  with  which  this 
country  has  to  contend.  He  has  served  as  trustee  of  Otho  town- 
ship and  also  acted  in  the  capacity  of  justice  of  the  peace,  dis- 
charging his  duties  in  both  connections  in  a  highly  commendable 
and  satisfactory  manner.  Fraternally,  he  is  identified  with  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the 
Royal  Neighbors.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  mem- 
bership in  the  Methodist  church,  to  which  his  wife  and  children 
also  belong.  He  possesses  those  sterling  traits  of  character  which 
in  every  land  and  clime  win  confidence,  respect  and  good-will, 
and  by  the  consensus  of  public  opinion  he  is  accorded  a  promi- 
nent place  among  the  valued  citizens  of  Otho  township. 


PROFESSOR  CHARLES  V.  FINDLAY. 

Professor  Charles  V.  Findlay  is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Monk 
&  Findlay,  proprietors  of  Tobin  College,  at  Fort  Dodge. 
Throughout  his  life  he  has  been  connected  with  educational  in- 
terests and  has  made  that  institution,  of  which  he  is  now  presi- 
dent, one  of  the  strong  educational  centers  of  the  middle  west, 
holding  to  high  standards  at  all  times.  He  was  born  in  De  Kalb 
county,  Illinois,  September  12,  1866,  and  is  a  son  of  James  A.  and 
Olive  !•".  (Goodyear)  Findlay,  the  former  a  native  of  Vermont 
and  the  latter  of  Ohio.  The  paternal  grandfather,  James  Find- 
lay, was  a  nati\e  of  Scotland  and  made  farming  his  life  work. 
He  came  to  America  as  a  member  of  the  British  army  in  the 
War  of  1812.  His  wife  was  Deborah  (Allen)  Findlay  ami  they 
were  early  settlers  of  De  Kalb  county,  Illinois,  with  the  devel- 
opment of  which  they  were  actively  identified.  They  died  there 
when  well  advanced  in  years,  having  fn  the  meantime  reared  a 
large  family  comprising  James,  Margaret,  Lavina,  Mary,  George 
and  Orin.  The  maternal  grandfather  of  Professor  Findlay  was 
Lloyd  Goodyear,  who  married  Mary  Lepper.     Both  were  born 


250  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

and  reared  in  New  York,  but  after  their  marriage  moved  to  Ohio. 
From  there  they  came  westward  to  Illinois  and  settled  in  De 
Kalb  county,  where  they  passed  away  at  an  advanced  age.  In 
their  family  were  eight  children.  Henry.  Almira.  Nelson,  John, 
\\'illiam,  Franklin,  01i\-e  and  James. 

James  A.  Findla\'  was  reared  in  the  Green  Mountain  state  and 
there  learned  the  caqjenter's  and  joiner's  trades.  He  made  his 
wa}'  \vest\\ard  to  Illinois  prior  to  the  Civil  war,  settling  near  Paw 
Paw.  in  De  Kalh  county,  where  he  engaged  in  carpentering.  In 
1871  he  came  to  Iowa,  taking  up  his  abode  in  Clay  county,  where 
he  secured  a  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  which  he 
culti\ated  and  improved  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1877  he  re- 
moved to  \\  cbster  county,  settling  in  Otho  township,  where  he 
purchased  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  This  he 
also  improved,  greatly  enhancing  the  fertility  of  the  fields,  and  the 
place  is  still  in  the  possession  of  the  famil}'.  The  father,  however, 
has  retired.  remo\ing  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  and  his  wife  ha\e 
now  li\ed  for  about  fourteen  jears.  He  held  various  township 
offices  and  has  been  prominent  locall)-,  his  efforts  being  a  potent 
factor  in  general  development  and  improvement.  To  him  and 
his  wife  were  born  three  sons:  George  F.,  born  October  23,  1864, 
deceased;  Charles  V.,  born  September  12,  1866:  and  J.  Lloyd,  born 
August  5,  1868,  a  resident  of  Otho  townshi]). 

Professor  Findla\-  was  about  five  years  of  age  when  brought 
to  Iowa  and  upon  his  father's  farm  in  Webster  county  he  was 
reared,  early  becoming  familiar  with  the  duties  and  labors  which 
fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist.  He  attended  the  district  school 
and  supplemented  his  ]irfliminary  education  by  a  course  in  the 
normal  school  at  Shenandoah,  Iowa.  He  taught  both  previous 
and  subsequent  to  that  period  and  later  entered  the  Highland 
Park  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1891.  From  the 
beginning  he  demonstrated  his  ability  as  an  educator  and  in  the 
year  of  his  graduation  he  was  elected  county  superintendent  of 
schools  of  Webster  county,  to  which  position  he  was  several  times 
reelected,  serving  in  all  for  four  terms  or  eight  years.  Since  then 
he  has  been  continuously  engaged  in  college  work,  being  con- 
nected W'ith  Tobin  College,  an  incorporated  institution  of  which 
he  is  the  president.  This  school  has  an  enrollment  in  all  of  its 
departments  of  about  five  hundred  students.  Excellent  work  is 
being  done  under  able  educators,  for  a  high  standard  is  maintained 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  251 

in   the   personnel   of  the   school,    in   the   curriculum    and    in    the 
methods  of  instruction. 

On  June  29,  1899,  Mr.  Findlay  was  married  to  Miss  Mabel 
Southwick,  the  daughter  of  Franklin  B.  and  Cornelia  (Sheffield) 
Southwick.  She  was  born  at  \\'ells,  Minnesota,  while  her  parents 
were  natives  of  Wisconsin  and  are  now  living  at  Santa  Barbara, 
California.  Of  their  children,  two  are  living:  Mrs.  Findlay;  and 
Mrs.  Eva  (Southwick)  ^\"alden,  of  Santa  Paula,  California.  Pro- 
fessor and  ]ilrs.  F^indlay  have  two  sons:  James  Franklin,  born  July 
25.  1900:  and  Maurice  Southwick,  born  January  29,  1907.  Pro- 
fessor Findlay  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  his 
wife  of  the  Church  of  God.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the 
republican  party  and  in  1910  and  191 1  he  served  as  a  member  of 
the  city  council,  but  otherwise  has  never  sought  nor  desired  pub- 
lic office  outside  of  the  strict  path  of  his  profession.  He  has  all 
of  the  qualifications  of  an  able  educator,  is  a  good  disciplinarian, 
possesses  e.xecutive  force  and  administrative  direction,  and  at  the 
same  time  imparts  readily  and  concisely  to  others  the  knowledge 
which  he  has  acquired.  He  has  made  the  school  a  part  of  the  city 
and  one  which  has  had  commendable  influence  in.  the  educational 
interests  and  the  development  of  this  part  of  the  state. 


WILLIAM  MURRY  WILDMAN,  M.  D. 

Dr.  William  Murry  Wildman  has  become  recognized  as  a  highly 
efficient  representative  of  the  medical  profession  during  the  six 
years  of  his  practice  in  Fort  Dodge.  His  birth  occurred  in  Hardin 
county,  this  state,  on  the  12th  of  December,  1874,  his  parents 
being  William  and  Asenath  (Adams)  Wildman.  The  father,  who 
was  born  in  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  on  the  30th  of  March,  1847, 
came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents,  Seneca  and  Jane  (Hadley)  Wild- 
man,  who  located  on  a  fai^m  in  the  vicinity  of  Iowa  Falls,  Hardin 
county,  in  1859.  There  he  met  and  subsequently  married  Miss 
Adams,  a  direct  descendant  of  John  and  John  Quincy  Adams.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Yadkin  county,  North  Carolina,  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Joel  Adams,  bur  man)'  years  Mr.  Wildman  was  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Hardin  county,  but  he  retired 
from  active  work  fifteen  years  ago.  and  now  he  and  the  mother 
are  living  in  F'alacios,  Texas. 


252  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Dr.  W'ildman  was  reared  on  the  farm  where  he  was  born,  and 
attended  the  district  schools  of  Hardin  county  until  he  was  a 
youth  of  seventeen  years.  His  parents  were  of  Quaker  extrac- 
tion and  have  always  adhered  to  that  faith,  so  in  1891  he  was 
sent  to  New  Providence  Academy  at  New  Providence,  Iowa.  He 
completed  the  course  there  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  then  en- 
tered Penn  College,  also  a  Quaker  institution,  at  Oskaloosa.  He 
left  college  in  1895  and  taught  in  a  district  school  in  the  \-icinity 
of  his  home  for  a  year.  z\t  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  re- 
sumed his  studies,  and  was  graduated  in  1897  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Science.  He  subsequently  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  in  Eldora,  Hardin  counlv,  until  the  spring  of  1903. 
In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  went  to  Iowa  City,  this  state,  and  ma- 
triculated in  the  medical  department  of.  the  Iowa  State  Univer- 
sity, taking  the  homeopathic  course.  He  was  awarded  the  degree 
of  M.  D.  on  the  13th  of  June,  1906,  and  the  following  day  he  came 
to  Fort  Dodge  and  opened  an  office  at  516^  Central  avenue.  He 
was  located  there  for  two  years,  but  when  the  First  National  Bank 
building  was  completed  in  1908  he  removed  to  his  present  cjuar- 
ters,  being  one  of  the  first  tenants  in  the  building.  He  has  a  very 
pleasant  and  appropriately  furnished  suite,  at  No.  406,  and 
through  his  general  capaliility  and  efficiency  has  succeeded  in 
building  up  an  excellent  practice.  Dr.  W'ildman  is  in  every  way 
highly  qualified  for  the  profession  he  has  adopted,  as  he  has  many 
times  manifested  since  locating  here.  He  is  a  man  of  pleasing 
personality,  resourceful  and  confident  and  is  most  conscientious 
in  his  devotion  to  the  interests  of  his  patients. 

Eldora,  Iowa,  was  the  scene  of  Dr.  Wildman's  marriage  on  the 
23d  of  May,  1901,  to  Miss  Saidie  Policy,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  and 
Florence  (Sheets)  Polley,  both  deceased.  The  father  was  for 
many  years  engaged  in  farming  in  Hardin  county,  but  in  1900  he 
retired  to  Eldora,  and  there  he  passed  away  in  1903.  One  child 
has  been  born  to  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wildman,  Ruth  Irene,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  9th  of  December,  1902.  She  is  now  a  student  of 
the  Lincoln  school,  this  city. 

Dr.  Wildman  is  a  member  of  the  Quaker  church  of  Hardin 
county,  and  Mrs.  Wildman  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  of  Eldora.  Fraternally,  he  is  affiliated  with  Fort  Dodge 
Lodge,  No.  248,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  and  is  grand  medical  examiner  of 
this  order  for  the  state  of  Iowa.  He  also  belongs  to  Fort  Dodge 
Lodge,  No.  306,  B.  P.  O.  E. :  and  Choctaw  Tribe,  No.  47.  I.  O.  R., 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  253 

also  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  maintains  relations  with  his  fellow  prac- 
titioners through  the  medium  of  his  connection  with  the  Webster 
County  Medical  Society  and  the  Iowa  State  and  American  Medi- 
cal Associations.  In  politics  he  is  a  progressive  republican  and 
served  for  two  years  as  health  officer  of  Fort  Dodge.  Dr.  W'ild- 
nian  has  been  very  successful  and  in  addition  to  his  other  interests 
has  a  very  attracti\e  home  at  1328  l-'ifth  a\enue.  Xorth.  He  is 
a  man  of  many  admirable  traits  of  character  and  is  popular  and 
highly  esteemed  both  by  the  profession  and  laity  and  enjoys  the 
confidence  and  regard  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 


MARY   J.  STEVENS. 


One  of  the  most  efificient  business  women  of  \\'ebster  county 
is  Mary  J.  Stevens,  who  owns  and  successfully  operates  a  farm 
located  on  section  13  of  Douglas  township,  which  was  previously 
the  property  of  her  father.  She  is  a  native  of  New  England,  her 
birth  having  occurred  in  Richmond,  Vermont,  on  the  19th  of 
July,  1840,  and  a  daughter  of  Socrates  Greenleaf  and  Harriet 
(Jones)  Stevens.  The  father  was  born  in  Henderson,  Jefferson 
county,  New  York,  on  the  29th  of  April,  181 1,  but  he  was  reared 
and  educated  in  the  state  of  Vermont.  There  he  also  learned  the 
machinist's  trade,  wdiich  he  followed  for  about  three  years  and 
then  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.  On  the  13th  of 
September,  1835,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jones,  who  was  born  in 
Colchester,  Vermont,  on  the  i2tli  of  .\ugust,  1812.  They  passed 
the  early  period  of  their  domestic  life  in  the  Green  Mountain 
state,  coming  from  there  to  Iowa  in  1856.  The\'  first  located  in 
Oskaloosa,  but  after  a  year's  residence  there  they  removed  to 
Webster  county,  and  here  the  father  acepiired  the  farm,  now 
owned  by  our  subject.  This  property,  which  is  located  west  of 
the  Des  Moines  river,  was  entirely  uncultivated  when  it  came  into 
Mr.  Stevens'  possession,  and  he  diligently  devoted  the  remainder 
of  his  active  life  to  its  develojmient  and  improvement.  Here  both 
parents  passed  away,  the  mother's  death  occurring  on  the  j(\  of 
May,  1888,  and  that  of  the  father  on  the  T4th  of  January,  1901. 
They  were  adherents  of  the  Universalist  faith,  and  his  political 
support  Mr.  Stevens  accorded  to  the  democratic  party. 


254  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Miss  Stevens  was  a  girl  of  fifteen  years  wiien  she  accompanied 
her  parents  on  their  removal  to  Iowa,  where  she  has  ever  since 
made  her  home.  Her  education  was  begun  in  the  schools  of  her 
native  state  and  completed  in  Oskaloosa.  After  they  removed  to 
A\'ebster  county  she  engaged  in  teaching,  following  this  profes- 
sion for  twenty-two  terms.  Her  services  then  being  required  at 
home,  she  gave  up  her  work  and  devoted  herself  to  her  parents 
during  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  She  is  a  woman  of  more  than 
average  capability,  and  has  a  thorough  understanding  of  farming 
and  stock-raising,  as  is  substantially  evidenced  by  the  appear- 
ance of  her  well  kept  fields  and  the  condition  of  her  stock.  She 
exercises  intelligence  and  good  judgment  in  the  direction  of  her 
interests  and  has  prospered  in  her  undertakings.  The  place  is 
provided  with  an  adequate  equipment,  the  barns  and  outbuild- 
ings are  substantially  constructed  and  in  good  repair,  while  in 
1906  she  replaced  the  old  farm  house  with  a  modern  residence, 
which  is  one  of  the  largest  and  linest  in  the  countv.  Her  present 
mode  of  living  is  in  violent  contrast  to  that  of  her  girlhood, 
which  was  passed  on  the  same  farm  but  amid  pioneer  conditions, 
while  she  is  now  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts  and  conveniences 
of  a  modern  civilization.  Miss  Stevens  attends  the  various 
churches  but  has  never  identified  herself  with  anv  one  denomina- 
tion. She  has  always  been  keenly  interested  in  intellectual  pur- 
suits and  keeps  closely  in  touch  with  the  trend  of  the  times,  being 
thoroughly  informed  on  all  current  topics,  on  which  she  has  well 
defined  views. 


ARCHIE  D.  McQUILKIN. 

Archie  D.  McOuilkin  has  for  the  past  ten  years  been  success- 
fully engaged  in  business  at  Fort  Dodge  as  a  dealer  in  furniture, 
carpets,  drapery  and  queensware,  and  his  establishment  at  No. 
817  Central  avenue  is  artistic  and  attractive  throughout.  His 
birth  occurred  in  \\'cstmoreland  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
13th  of  January,  1864,  his  parents  being  Samuel  and  Ann  Eleanor 
(Kerr)  McQuilkin,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  the  Keystone 
state.  His  paternal  grandparents  were  Robert  R.  and  Jane 
(Richey)  McQuilkin. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  255 

Samuel  McOuilkin,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  reared  in 
Pennsylvania  and  followed  farming  throughout  his  active  career. 
In  1866  he  came  west  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Benton  county,  where 
he  continued  to  reside  until  called  to  his  final  rest  in  1878.  He 
was  widely  recognized  as  a  substantial  and  esteemed  citizen  of 
his  community  and  ably  served  in  the  capacity  of  justice  of  the 
peace.  In  religious  faith  he  was  a  Presbyterian.  His  widow,  who 
is  still  living  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  also  belongs  to  that 
church.  To  them  were  born  eleven  children,  six  sons  and  live 
daughters,  eight  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  namely:  Joseph  K., 
who  is  a  resident  of  Waterloo,  Iowa ;  Robert  R.,  living  in  La- 
porte  City,  Iowa;  Andrew,  \vho  has  passed  away;  Belle,  the  wife 
of  L.  U.  W'oodley,  of  Gait,  Iowa;  James  L.,  who  is  deceased; 
Xanna,  the  wife  of  John  W  illmore,  of  Fort  Dodge;  Ella,  who  is 
deceased;  and  Archie  D.,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Benton  county,  this  state,  and  there  attended  the  dis- 
trict schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education.  When  about 
fifteen  }'ears  of  age  he  left  the  home  farm  and  began  clerking  in 
a  drug  store  at  Laporte  City,  being  thus  employed  for  eighteen 
months,  while  subsequently  he  conducted  a  meat  market  there 
for  four  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  went  upon  the 
road  as  a  traveling  salesman  for  a  publishing  concern,  covering- 
Indiana,  Michigan,  Wisconsin  and  Illinois.  Later  he  embarked  in 
business  at  Burlington,  Iowa,  as  a  dealer  in  furniture,  jewelry, 
carpets  and  queensware,  there  conducting  an  establishment  of 
that  character  for  ele\en  years.  In  1902  he  came  to  Fort  Dodge 
and,  as  above  stated,  has  remained  in  business  here  to  the  pres- 
ent time.  His  store,  comprising  several  floors,  has  forty-four 
thousand  feet  floor  space  or  over  an  acre  and  is  crowded  with 
one  of  the  most  extensive  and  finest  assortments  of  furniture, 
carpets,  rugs,  pictures  and  chinaware  to  be  found  in  the  state 
of  Iowa.  Mr.  AlcOuilkin  is  accorded  a  large  and  well  merited 
patronage,  for  he  is  a  man  of  splendid  business  ability  and  keen 
discernment.  He  carries  an  attractive  and  artistic  line  of  goods 
at  reasonable  prices  and  does  everything  in  his  power  to  please 
and  satisfy  his  customers. 

On  the  17th  of  June,  1889,  Mr.  McQuilkin  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Jennie  Kline,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  Elisha  and  Sarah  Kline,  who  were  likewise  born  in  that 
state.     They  became  early  settlers  of  Blackhawk  county,  Iowa, 


256  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  hves.  Elisha  KHne  and  his 
oldest  son,  Alonzo,  participated  in  the  Civil  war.  Mrs.  McQuil- 
kin  was  one  of  a  family  of  two  daughters  and  five  sons,  the  others 
being  as  follows:  Alonzo,  Willis,  Albert,  \Villiam,  Bo3'd  and 
Mariette,  who  died  in  infancy.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McOuilkin  have 
been  born  three  children :  Merope,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two 
months;  Marion,  who  passed  away  when  two  years  old:  and 
Marjorie,  who  is  now  twelve  years  of  age. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  McOuilkin  is  republican,  while  fra- 
ternally he  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  the 
Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  His  religious  faith  is  indi- 
cated by  his  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  his 
wife  also  belongs  and  of  which  lie  is  serving  as  president  of  the 
board  of  trustees.  Through  his  enterprise  he  has  won  success 
in  business  and  through  his  fidelity  to  upright  principles  he  has 
commanded  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  fellowmen. 


MICHAEL  F.  HEALY 


Michael  F.  Healy,  a  Harvard  man  and  also  an  alumnus  of  Michi- 
gan University,  brought  to  the  starting  point  of  his  career  certain 
rare  gifts  including  a  strong  personality,  an  excellent  presence  and 
marked  strength  of  character.  These,  combined  with  a  thorough 
grasp  of  the  law  and  the  ability  to  correctly  apply  its  principles,  have 
been  the  factors  in  his  effectiveness  as  an  advocate.  He  is  now  prac- 
ticing as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Healy  &  Healy,  with  offices  at  No. 
62oy2  Central  avenue,  Fort  Dodge.  He  is  a  native  of  Lansing,  Iowa, 
born  April  i,  1863,  and  comes  of  Irish  ancestry.  His  paternal  grand- 
father, Michael  Healy,  died  in  Ireland  in  1845  when  fifty-six  years  of 
age.  His  wife,  Mrs.  Eleanor  Healy,  afterward  came  to  America  and 
l>assed  away  in  Lansing.  Iowa,  at  the  very  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
nine  years.  In  their  family  were  five  children,  Michael,  Thomas  F., 
Hannah  Daley,  Mary  Sullivan  and  Nanna.  After  the  death  of  her 
first  husband  Mrs.  Healy  became  the  wife  of  James  Hinchon,  and 
they  had  three  children,  Cornelius,  John  W.  and  Julia  McGuough. 

The  eldest  child  of  the  first  marriage  was  Michael  Healy,  the  father 
of  Michael  F.  Healy,  of  this  review.  He  was  born  in  County  Cork, 
Ireland,  and  left  there  when  a  boy  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  years.  Cross- 
ing the   Atlantic   he   settled   first  in   Massachusetts,   working   in   the 


M.  F.  IIEALY 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  259 

mills  there  for  a  time,  but  on  the  ist  of  January,  1850,  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  regular  United  States  anny,  with  which  he  remained 
for  fi\e  years.  On  the  14th  of  March,  1855,  he  wedded  Catharine 
Murphy,  who  was  also  a  native  of  County  Cork,  and  a  daughter  of 
Patrick  and  Mary  (McCarty)  Murphy.  Mr.  Murphy  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  both  he  and  his  wife  lived  to  old  age.  Their  children 
were:  Sarah  Stuart,  of  Newton,  Massachusetts;  Ellen  Murphy; 
Hannah  Taggart;  Elizabeth  McNamara;  Patrick  Murphy;  and  Catha- 
rine. 

Following  their  marriage  Michael  and  Catharine  (Murphy)  Healy 
removed  westward  to  Allamakee  county,  Iowa,  where  he  followed 
farming  for  eight  years  and  also  served  as  county  treasurer  for  four 
years.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  merchandising  at  Lansing, 
Iowa,  and  conducted  his  store  until  1882,  when  he  removed  to  Fort 
Dodge,  where  he  engaged  in  the  agricultural  implement  business  for 
several  years.  In  the  meantime  he  purchased  four  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  land  in  Webster  county  in  1868.  His  judicious  investments 
and  liis  bu.'^iness  activity  brought  him  a  substantial  measure  of  suc- 
cess and  after  retiring  from  the  implement  business  he  spent  his  re- 
maining days  in  the  enjoyment  of  well  earned  rest  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  June  3,  19 10,  when  he  was  efghty-four  years  of 
age.  His  wife  passed  away  June  5,  1908,  when  seventy-four  years 
of  age.  Both  were  loyal  members  of  the  Catholic  church.  They  had 
a  family  of  nine  children:  Ella,  who  is  the  widow  of  Matthew  Joyce; 
Mary,  the  widow  of  P.  H.  Vaughan ;  .\nna;  Michael  F. ;  Thomas  D., 
who  died  January  15,  1910;  William  M. ;  Elizabeth,  who  is  in  a  con- 
vent in  Philadelphia,  engaged  in  the  Drexel  educational  work  of  edu- 
cating the  negroes;  Robert,  a  partner  of  Michael;  and  Catharine. 

Michael  F.  Healy  was  reared  in  Lansing,  Iowa,  until  nineteen 
years  of  age,  and  has  since  li\ed  in  Fort  Dodge.  He  was  a  pupil  in 
the  public  schools  of  his  native  city  and  in  Notre  Dame  University  at 
South  Bend,  Indiana,  before  entering  Harvard  University.  His  prepa- 
ration for  the  bar  was  made  as  a  student  in  the  law  department  of 
the  University  of  Michigan  and  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  on  the 
1st  of  October,  1885.  He  at' once  opened  an  office  in  Fort  Dodge, 
where  he  has  since  remained  in  active  practice.  He  throws  him- 
self easily  and  naturally  into  an  argument  with  the  self-possession 
and  deliberation  which  indicates  no  straining  after  effect.  There  is  a 
precision  and  clearness  in  his  statement,  a  ([uietness  and  strength 
in  his  argument  which  speak  a  mind  trained  in  the  severest  school  of 
investigation,  and  to  whicli  the  closest  reasoning  is  habitual  and  easy. 


260  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

On  the  30th  of  June,  1891.  Mr.  Healy  was  married  to  iMiss  Mary 
E.  Kemdt,  a  daughter  of  Moritz  and  Mary  (Nimsgern)  Kerndt,  of 
Lansing,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Healy  was  born  in  that  town  while  her  father 
was  a  native  of  Saxon\^  Germany,  and  her  mother  of  Alsace  Lorraine. 
In  1856  they  established  their  home  in  Lansing,  where  they  still  re- 
side. In  their  family  were  eight  children,  Gustav  M.,  Charles  M., 
William  M.,  Mary  E.,  Clara  M.,  Anna,  Moritz  and  Catharine.  The 
paternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Healy  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Chris- 
tian Kerndt.  The  former  died  in  Gemiany  and  the  latter  in  Lansing. 
They  had  a  large  family,  including  Hemian,  Gustav,  W^illiam,  Moritz, 
Julius,  Clara,  Haas,  Emma  Boeckh,  and  Mrs.  Rieth.  The  children  of 
the  maternal  grandfather  were  five  in  number:  Mary  Kerndt,  Anna 
Kennedy,  Emma  Stowers,  Mrs.  W'uest,  and  Anna  L'rmersbach. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Healy  have  six  children.  Kerndt  M.,  Thomas  ]\I., 
Ruth,  Margaret.  Eleanor  and  Catharine.  The  parents  are  members 
of  the  Catholic  church  and  Mr.  Healy  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Columbus,  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  the  Knights  of 
Pvlhias,  the  Arcanum,  the  Ancient  Order  of  L'nited  Workmen  and 
the  Sons  of  Herman.  In  politics  he  is  an  earnest  democrat  and  is  a 
recognized  leader  of  the  party,  having  served  as  chairman  of  the 
democratic  state  central  committee  in  1896  and  1897,  yet  he  has  ne\er 
sought  nor  desired  office  for  himself,  preferring  to  concentrate  his 
energies  upon  his  professional  duties  whereby  the  firm  of  Healy  & 
Healy  has  become  one  of  the  leading  law  firms  of  Fort  Dodge. 


PETER  M.   ^IITCHELL. 

One  of  the  foremost  business  men  of  Fort  Dodge  a  decade  ago 
was  the  late  Peter  M.  Mitchell,  founder  of  The  Mitchell  Imple- 
ment Company,  a  thri\  ing  enterprise  of  liie  city,  which  stands  as 
a  monument  to  his  unceasing  diligence  and  energy.  He  was  born 
at  Marseilles,  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  on  April  9,  1853,  a  son  of 
Patrick  and  Anne  (Kennedy)  Mitchell.  The  father  was  a  native 
of  County  Galway,  Ireland,  wdience  he  emigrated  to  the  L'nited 
States  with  his  family  in  the  late  '40s.  He  located  in  La  Salle 
county,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1855,  when  he  re- 
moved to  Webster  county,  Iowa,  and  resumed  his  agricultural 
pursuits  in  Badger  township.     His  efforts  met  with  good  financial 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  261 

returns  and  lie  subsequently  retired  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  was 
hving  at  the  time  of  his  death.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  now 
makes  her  home  at  425  Xorth  Ninth  street,  this  city. 

Peter  M.  Mitchell  was  only  a  child  of  two  years  when  his  parents 
removed  to  Iowa  and  here  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life. 
He  began  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Badger  town- 
ship  and  continued  it  in  Fort  Dodge  high  school,  after  which  he 
became  a  student  at  Ames  College,  Ames,  Iowa.  He  was  soon 
compelled  to  lea\e  college,  owing;  to  the  state  of  his  health,  and 
for  ten  years  thereafter  engaged  in  teaching  in  ^\'ebster  county. 
In  1882  he  withdrew  from  this  occupation  and  went  into  the 
implement  business  with  Clemmon  L.  Granger,  wIkj  is  men- 
tioned elsewhere  in  this  work.  'J'heir  store  was  located  on  the 
public  scjuare  in  the  building  now  occupied  by  the  Granger  Com- 
pany. They  were  associated  together  for  fifteen  years,  but  at 
the  expiration  of  that  time,  Air.  ]\litchell  withdrew  from  the  busi- 
ness and  founded  The  Mitchell  Implement  Company.  This  is  a 
wholesale  and  retail  establishment  and  is  located  at  601  to  611 
First  avenue.  South.  It  has  prospered  from  its  incipiency  and 
is  now  ranked  as  one  of  the  leading  implement  stores  of  the  city, 
the  controlling  interest  in  the  business  still  being  in  the  posses- 
sion of  Mr.  jMitchell's  heirs.  He  was  president  and  manager  of 
the  company  until  the  time  of  his  death,  and  as  he  was  a  man  of 
progressive  methods,  foresight  and  sagacity  in  the  conduct  of  this 
enterprise  he  adopted  a  policy  which  commended  him  to  the  con- 
fidence of  all  with  whom  he  had  transactions  and  won  him  the 
cooperation  of  his  patrons.  In  addition  to  his  interest  in  this 
corporation,  he  had  acquired  (luite  extensive  and  \aluable  real- 
estate  holflings  in  AX'ebster  and  adjoining  counties  of  northwest- 
ern Iowa,  and  he  was  a  stockholder  in  several  local  enterprises, 
among  them  the  I'ort  Dodge  Light  &  Power  Conqianw  the  Ole- 
son  Land  Company,  the  Alineral  City  Park  Association,  the  Iowa 
Land  &  Loan  Comi)any,  and  tlie  F'irst  National  Bank,  all  highh- 
reputable  and  prosperous  business  enterprises. 

In  Fort  Dodge,  on  the  21st  of  January,  1884,  Mr.  Mitchell  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  Furlong,  a  daughter  of  Richard 
and  -Anna  S.  CRyan)  Furlong.  The  parents  were  both  natives 
of  Maine  but  of  Irish  extraction.  Mrs.  Furlong's  grandfather 
was  born  in  Nova  Scotia  and  her  ancestors  participated  in  the 
War  of  1812.  They  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Webster 
county,  where  for  a  time  Mr.  Fnrli>iig  engaged  in  farnu'ng.     Later 


262  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

he  withdrew  from  this  occupation  and  coming  to  Fort  I>odge 
opened  a  general  mercantile  store.  He  subsequently  became  as- 
sociated with  J.  M.  Mulroney  in  the  conduct  of  this  establish- 
ment, but  after  tiiey  dissolved  partnership,  Mr.  Furlong  located 
at  II  to  13  North  Fifth  street,  the  site  now  occupied  by  Furlong 
&  Brennan,  where  he  continued  in  business  until  his  death  in  1892. 
Mr.  Furlong  was  twice  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss 
Nora  Moriarity,  of  Dubuque,  Iowa,  who  died  in  1899.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  to  ]\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Mitchell,  as  follows:  Marcia, 
who  has  been  teaching  in  Minnesota,  now  at  home;  Anne,  a  for- 
mer teacher  in  a  private  school  in  Washington,  D.  C,  and  now 
connected  with  the  public  library  at  Fort  Dodge ;  Richard,  who 
graduated  from  the  law  department  of  the  Iowa  State  University 
with  the  class  of  191 2;  Alice,  who  is  attending  school  in  Milwau- 
kee; Granger,  a  member  of  the  class  of  1912  of  Fort  Dodge  high 
school;  and  Katharine,  also  a  student  of  the  high  school. 

The  family  are  all  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
as  was  likewise  the  father,  and  belong  to  Corpus  Christi  parish. 
Mr.  Mitchell  was  a  member  of  Fort  Dodge  Lodge,  No.  306,  B.  P. 
O.  E.,  and  his  political  support  he  gave  to  the  democratic  party. 
He  was  always  an  active  and  earnest  worker  on  behalf  of  his 
party  and  took  a  prominent  part  in  local  campaigns.  He  held  a 
prominent  position  in  the  community  and  was  numbered  among 
the  foremost  representatives  of  the  commercial  fraternity  of  the 
city,  in  the  progress  and  development  of  which  he  was  one  of  the 
dominant  factors. 


JOHN  A.  LINDBERG. 


John  A.  Lindberg,  president  of  the  Farmers  State  Bank  nf  Day- 
ton, has  for  many  years  been  numbered  among  the  foremost  busi- 
ness men  of  Webster  county,  while  he  has  occupied  an  equally 
prominent  position  in  the  public  life  of  the  community.  He  was 
born  in  Victoria.  Kno.x  county,  Illinois,  on  the  29th  of  December, 
1850,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Christine  (.\aronson)  Lindberg. 
The  parents  were  both  natives  of  Sweden,  the  father  having  been 
born  in  1815  and  the  mother  in  1819.  and  there  they  were  also 
reared  and  married.  John  Lindberg  entered  the  service  of  his 
country  in  his  early  manhood,  but  as  the  future  seemed  to  promise 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  263 

little  or  nothing  in  Sweden  and  he  had  heard  wonderful  stories  of 
the  possibilities  afforded  in  America,  he  obtained  a  substitute  and 
withdrew  from  the  arm}-  at  tlie  end  of  live  years.  Together 
with  his  wife  and  family  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in 
1849,  sixteen  weeks  having  been  spent  on  the  water  before  they 
dropped  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  New  York.  They  made  their 
way  inland  to  Victoria,  Illinois,  where  the  father  engaged  in 
farming  until  1856.  In  October  of  tliat  year  the  family  again 
started  w-estward,  \\'ebster  county  being  their  destination  on  this 
occasion.  The  father  first  settled  on  what  was  supposed  to  be 
government  land  but  later  proved  to  be  river  land  in  Hardin 
township.  In  1857  he  preempted  a  quarter  section,  which  lie 
cultivated  until  1877,  when  lie  removed  to  a  farm  tliree  miles  east 
of  Fort  Dodge.  Tlie  parents  continued  to  reside  there  until  1881, 
when  they  went  to  Badger  and  made  their  home  with  a  daughter, 
Mrs.  P.  A.  Houge.  There  the  father  passed  away  in  1893.  He 
was  sur\ived  by  tiie  mother,  whose  death  occurred  six  months 
later.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our  subject  w-as  John  Mood, 
who  was  in  the  volunteer  service  of  the  King  of  Sweden,  for 
twenty-four  years,  having  entered  the  army  immediately  after  at- 
taining his  majority  and  having  remained  in  the  service  until  he 
had  reached  the  age  limit,  fort_\-fi\e  years. 

John  A.  Lindberg,  who  was  a  lad  of  si.x  years  when  his  parents 
removed  to  Iowa,  began  his  education  in  the  district  schools  near 
Boonesboro,  Boone  county,  Iowa.  After  graduating  from  the 
high  school  in  the  latter  ])lace  he  matriculated  in  the  law  depart- 
ment of  the  Iowa  State  Uni\ersit\-  at  Iowa  Citv.  from  which  in- 
stitution he  was  granted  the  degree  of  LL.  B.  with  the  class 
of  1871.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  innnediately  after  attain- 
ing his  majority  but  has  never  practiced.  After  leaving  the 
universit}-  he  turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  with 
which  he  Iiad  l^een  familiar  from  early  l)oyhood.  and  for  two 
years  thereafter  devoted  his  entire  time  and  energies  to  farming, 
three  miles  east  of  Fort  Dodge.  In  1880  he  came  to  Dayton 
and  purchased  the  "Dayton  Review."  a  weekly  newspaper  w  hich 
had  been  established  here  the  year  previously,  ^fr.  T.in(ll)erg 
edited  this  journal  for  ten  years,  and  during  that  period  developed 
it  into  one  of  the  best  papers  in  the  county.  As  he  is  a  public- 
spirited  man.  of  progressive  ideas  and  enterprising  methods  he 
made  it  a  prominent  factor  in  the  development  not  onlv  of  the 
town,  but  of  the  entire  section.     It  was  a  clean,  wholesome  sheet, 


264  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

noticeably  free  from  scurrilous  attacks  on  the  candidates  of  the 
opposing  party  during  political  campaigns,  while  its  columns 
were  always  used  to  defend  the  weak  or  champion  any  good 
or  worthy  cause.  In  1890.  Mr.  Lindberg  sold  his  paper  to  J.  G. 
Durrel  and  withdrawing  from  the  field  of  journalism  engaged  in 
the  real-estate  and  insurance  business  with  August  Lillyard. 
Three  years  later,  together  with  several  other  local  business  men, 
he  organized  the  Farmers  State  Bank,  of  which  he  has  ever 
since  been  president.  They  incorporated  the  institution  for 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  but  they  have  since  increased  their 
capital  stock  to  forty  thousand  dollars,  and  have  a  ten  thousand 
dollar  surplus.  It  has  always  been  conducted  in  strict  accordance 
with  a  most  conservatixe  policy,  and  as  a  result  it  has  de\'elopecl 
into  one  of  the  thriving  and  substantial  financial  institutions  of 
the  county.  The  ofificials  are  all  men  of  recognized  standing  and 
un(|uestionable  integrity,  who  are  well  known  in  local  business 
circles.  C.  J.  Swanstrom  is  vice  president:  E.  M.  Lundeen, 
cashier;  and  TJ.  J.  Christensen,  assistant  cashier,  while  the  direc- 
tors are  as  follows:  C.  A.  Lundblad,  S.  A.  Burnquist:  li.  B. 
Charles  Staymen ;  G.  S.  Ringland:  and  John  BloniI;erg.  In  addi- 
tion to  this  connection  with  the  bank  Mr.  Lindberg  is  identified 
with  the  fire  and  life  insurance  business,  in  which  he  has  met  with 
excellent  success. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  1874,  Mr.  Lindberg  was  married  to  Miss 
Amelia  A.  Brundien,  who  was  born  at  Victoria,  Knox  county, 
Illinois,  on  the  2d  of  October,  1852.  She  is  a  daughter  of  William 
and  Ellen  Brundien.  both  natives  of  Sweden,  whence  they  emi- 
grated to  the  I'nited  States  in  1848.  Upon  their  arrival  in  this 
country  they  located  at  Bishop's  Hill.  Illinois,  where  they  were 
subsequently  married.  In  1857  they  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in 
Dayton.  Here  the  father  passed  away  in  1862  but  the  mother 
sin"\ived  him  for  many  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1905.  Two 
sons  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lindberg.  both  of  whom  have 
made  highly  creditable  records  in  business  and  public  life.  Clar- 
ence J.,  the  elder,  who  was  in  the  government  service  and  spent 
a  year  in  Cuba  during  the  Spanish-American  war,  having  been 
a  member  of  the  first  United  States  pack  train  that  left  San  .\n- 
tonio,  Texas,  owns  and  operates  a  large  cotton  plantation  at  Edna. 
Jackson  county,  Texas.  He  married  Miss  Luna  Dedmon,  of 
Texas,  and  they  have  one  son,  the  onh^  grandchild,  who  was 
christened  John  W'.,  but  is  called  "Billy."    Arthur  C.  the  younger 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  265 

son,  is  now  serving  as  county  treasurer  of  Webster  county.  He 
was  for  se\eral  years  assistant  cashier  in  the  Fanners  State 
Bank  of  Dayton,  and  subsequently  ser\ed  for  four  years  as  deputy 
county  treasurer  under  Peter  Hadley. 

^Ir.  Lindberg's  view^s  in  reHgious  matters  coincide  witii  the 
principles  of  the  Unitarian  faith  and  he  is  afifiliated  with  the 
American  Unitarian  Association.  He  is  a  Mason  and  also  be- 
longs to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  fraternity,  while  in  politics  he  is 
a  stanch  republican.  During  the  long  period  of  his  residence  in 
Dayton,  ^Ir.  Lindberg  has  always  been  one  of  the  leaders  in 
municipal  affairs,  and  for  twenty  years  he  served  in  the  town 
council.  In  1878  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  Dayton 
township  and  has  continuously  discharged  the  duties  of  this  office 
since  that  time,  a  period  of  thirty-four  years.  He  has  several  times 
filled  the  mayor's  chair,  while  he  was  postmaster  under  both  Presi- 
dent Garfield  and  President  Harrison,  and  for  several  years  he  was  a 
member  of  the  school  board.  He  was  once  nominated  for  county  clerk, 
but  was  defeated  by  a  heavy  democratic  majority.  Mr.  Lindberg  is 
one  of  the  highly  esteemed  citizens  not  only  of  Dayton  but  of  Webster 
county,  where  he  has  established  an  enviable  reputation,  his  career 
both  as  a  Inisiness  man  and  a  public  official  being  noticeably  free  from 
any  imputation  that  could  reflect  upon  his  character.  He  is  a  man  who 
would  be  an  acquisition  to  any  community  because  of  his  high 
standards  of  citizenship,  progressive  spirit  and  disinterested  help- 
fulness in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  common  welfare. 


CHARLES  C.  KNUDSON, 

Charles  C.  Knudson  is  the  proprietor  of  the  only  general  store 
in  Badger,  keeping  a  full  and  u])-to-date  line  of  merchandise  and 
operating  his  establishment  in  an  up-to-date  and  progressive 
way.  He  is  interested  in  local  business  expansion  aside  from  his 
activities  as  a  merchant  and  holds  stock  in  \arious  other  enter- 
prises, Ijeing  public-i>])irited  to  a  marked  degree  and  an  active 
fact<ir  in  the  develo])ment  of  the  section  in  which  he  was  born. 
Mr.  Knudson's  birth  occurred  in  Badger  township,  September 
30,  i87_'.  and  he  is  a  sun  f)f  Christ  and  Anna  (  \rent )  Knudson.  na- 
tives of  Norway.  The  father  emigrated  to  America  in  1860  and 
subse(|uent1_\-  located  on  a  farm  in  Badger  township  in  1868,  com- 


266  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COL'XTY 

ing  to  this  section  from  Illinois,  where  he  had  settled  upon  his 
arrival  in  America.  He  enlisted  in  Henshaw's  Battery  and  served 
for  four  years  in  the  Civil  war,  returning  to  Illinois  after  the 
close  of  hostilities.  In  that  state  he  was  married  and  there 
farmed  for  two  years  before  eventually  locating  in  Badger  town- 
ship. Here  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixt_\-  acres  of  land 
which  he  improved  and  cultivated  for  a  number  of  years,  adding 
to  his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  at  length  possessed  nine 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  was  among  the  most  extensive  land- 
owners in  the  section.  He  w^as  engaged  in  general  agricultural 
pursuits  upon  this  property  for  thirty-six  years  and  then  retired 
from  active  life.  mo\ing  to  the  town  of  Badger,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  and  important  citizens 
of  the  section,  is  vice  president  of  the  Badger  Savings  Bank  and 
still  owns  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  fertile  and  productive 
land  in  Webster  county. 

Charles  Knudson  was  reared  at  home  and  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Badger  township,  completing 
his  studies  at  Highland  Park  College  of  Des  Moines.  He  later  at- 
tended Toljin  College  at  Fort  Dodge,  graduating  from  that  insti- 
tution with  the  class  of  1896.  After  laying  aside  his  books  he 
accepted  a  position  in  the  employ  of  the  Peavey  Elevator 
Company,  working  first  at  Badger  and  then  at  Lake  Mills,  Iowa. 
After  two  years  he  went  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  clerked  in  a 
shoe  store  conducted  bv  a  Mr.  Rudesill  for  a  similar  period  of 
time,  returning  finally  to  his  native  section,  where  he  established 
himself  in  the  mercantile  business.  He  was  successful  from  the 
beginning  and  his  prosperity  has  come  as  a  natural  result  of 
his  industry  and  ability.  Owing  to  a  recent  fire  in  the  business 
section  of  the  village  Mr.  Knudson  is  the  projjrietor  of  the  only 
general  store.  He  carries  a  large  and  varied  stock  of  goods  and 
owns  the  building  in  which  he  conducts  his  business.  He  is  one 
of  the  leading  and  prominent  merchants  in  Badger,  operating  his 
enterprise  along  modern  lines  and  interested  in  the  general 
growth  and  welfare.  He  is  one  of  the  officers  of  the  Badger  Tele- 
phone Company,  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Elevator  Com- 
pany of  Badger,  and  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Corn  Belt  Packing 
Companj^  of  Fort  Dodge. 

In  May,  1896,  Mr.  Knudson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Catherine  \\'illianis.  a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Mary  (  Keilly) 
^\"illiams.     To  their  union  have  been  born  two  children:    Charles 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  267 

A.,  who  is  eight  years  old;  and  Robert  A.,  aged  three.  Air. 
Knudson  is  a  progressive  republican  and  is  serving  as  president  of 
the  school  board.  He  is  a  member  of  the  town  council,  has 
served  since  January  3,  1907,  as  postmaster  of  the  village,  and  is 
doing  able  and  effective  work  in  local  politics.  He  belongs  to 
the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks,  holding  his  member- 
?hip  in  the  I^^ort  Dodge  lodge,  and  is  a  devout  adherent  of  the 
Lutheran  church.  Mr.  Knudson  devotes  most  of  his  time  to  the 
management  of  his  store  and  to  the  operation  of  his  other  affairs, 
which  are  ably  conducted,  making  him  one  of  the  leading  business, 
men  in  Badger. 


AMBROSE  R.  WRIGHT. 

Ambrose  R.  Wright  is  a  retired  farmer,  living  at  the  corner  of 
Fourth  avenue  and  Fifteenth  street  in  Fort  Dodge.  The  eighty- 
three  years  of  his  life  record  present  many  admirable  and  substan- 
tial qualities  of  manhood  and  of  citizenship  and  he  has  ever  enjoyed 
the  high  regard  and  confidence  of  those  with  whom  he  associated. 
He  was  born  in  Sullivan,  Sullivan  county,  New  York,  Septem- 
ber 30,  1829.  His  grandfather,  Samuel  Wright,  served  his  country 
as  a  soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  in  days  of  peace  fol- 
lowed farming  for  many  years  in  Sullivan  county,  New  York. 
He  had  three  sons,  Samuel,  Daniel  and  John.  The  first  named 
was  reared  in  Sullivan  county  and  became  a  farmer,  hunter  and 
trapper.  He  was  sent  for  by  farmers  miles  distant  from  his  place 
of  abode  to  catch  wolves  that  were  killing  sheep  and  he  received 
thirt_\-  dollars  bounty  per  head.  He  always  kept  two  guns  and 
was  a  remarkably  ;iccurate  shot.  He  had  several  encounters  with 
wild  animals,  as  thrilling  as  any  tale  of  fiction.  At  one  time  his 
clothing  was  all  torn  from  his  1)ody  by  a*bear,  which  he  killed 
with  a  club  after  an  exciting  l)attle,  managing  to  escape  with  his 
own  life.  He  had  wounded  the  bear  with  squirrel  shot,  and  this 
only  angered  the  aniiual,  which  then  attacked  him.  lie  was  well  ad- 
vanced in  years  when  he  went  to  Indiana  to  visit  two  si.sters  who 
were  living  there.  That  winter  he  proceeded  to  Wi.sconsin  on 
a  hunting  and  trapping  expedition  and  had  exciting  times 
with  the  Indians,  who  would  steal  his  game  from  the  traps.  Later 
he  returned  to  Xcw  ^■ork.  where  he  died  .-diout    \H^j.  when  sixty- 


268  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

two  years  of  age.  In  earl}-  manhood  he  married  Frances  Curry, 
also  a  native  of  the  Empire  state  and  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and 
Anna  Curry,  who  were  Hkewise  born  in  New  York,  wliere  her 
father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  lived  to  the  very 
remarkable  old  age  of  one  hundred  and  two  years.  In  his  family 
were  seven  children,  Thomas,  Frances,  John,  \Villiam,  Stephen, 
James  and  another  daughter.  Of  these  Frances  became  Mrs. 
Wright  and,  surviving  her  husband  for  a  number  of  years,  she 
passed  away  in  1865,  at  the  age  of  sevent\'-three.  Both  were  con- 
sistent Christian  people,  holding  membership  in  the  ^lethodist 
church.  Their  children  were  eight  in  number,  six  of  whom 
reached  years  of  maturity:  Thomas;  Stephen;  Anna,  who  mar- 
ried Henry  Denman;  Daniel;  Ambrose  R. ;  and  Tamar,  who 
became  the  wife  of  Morgan  Hornbeck. 

.  Ambrose  R.  AX'right  was  reared  in  Sullivan  county,  New  York, 
early  becoming  familiar  with  all  the  experiences  that  fall  to  the 
lot  of  the  farm  lad.  His  education  was  largely  acquired  in  one 
of  the  old-time  log  schoolhouses.  furnished  with  slab  seats,  which 
were  supposed  to  have  been  planed  ofif  but  an  occasional  hem- 
lock sliver  would  make  the  small  boy  realize  that  he  was  not 
sitting  on  a  polished  board.  The  farmers  in  the  neighborhood 
contributed  the  fuel,  taking  turns  in  hauling  wood  for  the  tires, 
and  the  school  boys  would  have  to  chop  it.  Some  times  the 
children  would  take  the  benches  outside  and  put  them  along  in  a 
row  in  order  to  make  a  slitle,  wiiich  furnished  amusement  during 
the  recess  ])eriod. 

No  event  of  special  importance  occurred  to  \arv  the  routine 
of  farm  life  for  .\mbrose  \\  right  in  his  boyhood  and  youth.  On 
the  2(1  of  January,  1850.  however,  he  made  arrangements  for 
having  .h  h<inie  of  his  own  through  his  marriage  to  Miss  Diana 
Bowers,  a  daughter  of  rainier  Bowers.  In  July.  1907,  when  in 
her  seventy-sixth  year  she  jiassed  away  in  the  faith  of  the  Presby- 
terian church,  of  which  she  was  a  devoted  member.  She  was 
<born  in  Sullivan  county.  New  York,  in  1832  and  her  parents  were 
also  natives  of  that  state.  Avhile  her  paternal  grandfather  was 
a  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wright 
were  born  eleven  children:  Frances:  Silas;  Edgar;  .Mice;  Viola; 
Leone;  .Annie;  Dr.  Oscar  Wright,  who  resides  in  Dakota;  Dr. 
Clark,  deceased,  formerlv  of  El  Paso.  Texas;  Earl;  and  one,  who 
died  in  infanc\'.  There  arc  also  over  thirtv  grandchildren  and 
a  number  of  great-grandchildren. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  269 

l-ollo\ving-  liis  marriage  Mv.  Wright  continuetl  to  reside  in  tlie 
Empire  state  until  1877.  when  lie  came  to  Iowa  and  settled  on 
a  homestead  alxmt  ten  miles  west  of  Fort  Dodge,  securing  a 
claim  of  eighty  acres.  He  afterward  bought  and  sold  land  and 
at  one  time  was  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres.  After  carrying 
on  farming  for  twenty-eight  years  in  Webster  county  he  took  up 
his  abode  in  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  has  since  lived,  and  here  he 
built  tliree  houses,  which  he  still  owns  and  which  bring  him  a 
good  income.  Although  past  eighty-three  years  of  age,  he  is  well 
preserved,  possessing  all  of  his  faculties,  and  is  quite  active  for 
one  of  his  years.  He  began  life  a  poor  boy,  without  assistance, 
and  has  since  made  his  own  way  in  the  world.  He  and  his  esti- 
mable wife  experienced  and  endured  the  hardships  and  privations 
incident  to  pioneer  life  but  met  all  uncomplainingly,  traveling  life's 
journey  happily  together  and  sharing  each  other's  joys  and  sor- 
rows. It  was  their  aim  to  set  before  their  children  a  good  example, 
to  live  peaceably  with  all  men  and  to  do  unto  others  as  they 
would  be  done  l)y.  The  noble  qualities  of  his  nature  have  won  for 
]\Ir.  Wright  the  high  regard  and  friendship  of  all  with  whom 
he  has  come  into  contact.  He  is  one  of  the  worthy  old  settlers 
of  the  county  and  it  is  with  pleasure  that  we  present  his  record 
to  our  readers. 


WALTER  ]>()\\ERS. 


One  of  the  most  attractive  properties  of  Douglas  township  is 
the  two  hundred  acre  farm  of  Walter  Powers,  whose  capably  di- 
rected energies  have  ranked  him  among  the  representative  agri- 
culturists of  Webster  county,  .\lthough  the  greater  part  of  his 
life  has  been  passed  in  the  west,  he  is  a  son  of  New  England,  his 
birth  having  occurred  in  Maine  in  July,  1842.  His  father,  Steven 
Powers,  was  a  native  of  the  same  state,  while  the  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Alary  Culwrll.  was  born  in  i'enns\-l\ani;i. 
Their  family  numbered  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  all  oi 
whom  lived  to  attain  maturity.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powers  made  their 
home  in  Maine  until  the  s])ring  of  1856,  when  they  removed  to 
Iowa  with  their  family,  locating  in  Webster  county.  Here  the 
father,  whose  energies  were  always  dr\dlcd  to  farming,  bought 
three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  l.-ind.     It  was  entirelv  without 


270  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

improvements  and  had  never  been  even  broken,  but  with  the 
persistent  diligence  characteristic  of  the  New  Englander  he  soon 
had  erected  the  necessary  buildings  for  the  comfort  of  himself 
and  family  and  then  applied  himself  to  the  plowing  of  his  fields. 
He  later  increased  his  holdings  by  the  purchase  of  an  adjoining 
tract  of  two  hundred  acres,  all  of  which  had  been  placed  under 
cultivation  and  had  been  converted  into  a  well  improved  farm 
before  he  passed  away  in  1880.  He  was  sur\i\ed  by  the  mother, 
whose  death  occurred  in  1900. 

The  life  of  Walter  Powers  has  not  been  unusual  in  any  respect, 
but  is  that  of  the  average  man  whose  years  are  passed  in  the 
country.  When  old  enough  to  begin  his  education  l\e  entered  the 
district  schools  of  his  native  state,  \\hich  he  attended  until  he 
came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents.  As  he  was  only  lourteen  years  of 
age  when  the  family  located  in  Webster  county,  he  here  resumed 
his  studies,  contimiing  to  attend  school  until  he  had  mastered 
the  common  branches.  He  was  early  lirought  to  realize  the  re- 
sponsibilities and  duties  of  life,  and  can  hardly  remember  when 
he  had  not  some  definitely  assigned  tasks  which  had  to  be  per- 
formed regularly.  When  still  a  school  boy  he  worked  in  the 
fields  and  before  attaining  his  maturity  was  familiar  with  the 
jiractical  methods  of  agriculture.  He  lived  on  the  home  farm 
until  after  the  death  of  the  parents  when  he  and  his  brothers 
bought  the  interest  of  their  sisters  in  the  homestead,  which  they 
subsequently  <livided.  Mr.  Powers  recei\ed  as  his  portion  his 
present  holding,  which  was  entirely  unimproved.  During  the 
inter\-ening  years  a  comfortable  residence  and  substai^ial  barns 
and  sheds  ha\e  l)een  erected,  while  as  his  circumstances  have 
warranted  he  has  added  many  minor  improvements  and  modern 
inventions.  Thus  he  has  not  onh-  increased  the  productiveness 
of  his  farm,  but  he  has  added  greatly  to  its  attraoli\eness  as  a 
place  of  residence,  both  of  which  ha\e  contributed  to  its  value. 
Diversified  farming  and  stock-raising  ha\e  always  been  Mr. 
Powers'  main  source  of  revenue,  and  under  his  systematic  and 
capable  direction  both  have  ])ro\en  \ery  remunerative. 

In  June,  1877.  Mr.  Powers  was  married  to  Miss  Katie  McTntyre. 
?nd  to  them  have  been  born  six  children:  Steven,  William  and 
John,  who  are  deceased ;  Mary  Ann  ;  Aileen  :  and  Leon  \\'.,  who  is 
a  student  at  the  Chicago  University. 

The  church  connection  of  the  family  is  that  of  the  Roman  Cath- 
olic,   and    politic'illv    Mr.    Powers    stanchly    supports    the    demo- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  271 

cratic  party.  He  takes  an  interest  in  all  township  affairs  and  has 
served  for  several  years  as  trustee.  He  is  a  man  who  is  always 
ready  to  serve  in  any  public  capacity  and  after  the  Spirit  Lake 
massacre  joined  one  of  the  regiments  organized  to  protect  the 
settlers  from  the  Indians.  Mr.  Powers  has  prospered  in  his  under- 
takings, but  it  is  the  success  which  invariably  rewards  the  man, 
w^ho  energetically  applies  himself  to  acquiring  a  thorough  mastery 
of  the  business  he  is  engaged  in  and  utilizes  the  knowledge  thus 
eained  in  an  intelligent  manner. 


PETER  A.  HOUGE. 


On  July  24,  1908,  occurred  an  event  which  was  the  occasion  of 
genuine  sorrow  in  the  village  of  Badger  as  well  as  in  the  sur- 
rounding districts,  for  on  that  date  Peter  A.  Houge,  who  had  been 
an  honored  and  respected  citizen  of  the  county  for  forty  years, 
passed  away.  Mr.  Houge  had  for  many  years  been  engaged  in 
farming  and  in  various  business  activities  in  the  section  and  was 
mayor  of  Badger  when  he  died.  He  was,  therefore,  widely  and 
favorably  known  and  had  a  wide  circle  of  friends.  He  was  a  na- 
tive of  Wisconsin,  having  been  born  in  this  state  on  June  26,  i860, 
and  was  a  son  of  John  and  Carrie  (Dahl)  Houge,  natives  of  Nor- 
way. His  parents  came  to  America  at  an  early  date  and  located 
in  Wisconsin,  where  the  father  farmed  for  a  number  of  years 
finally  coming  to  Iowa  where  he  settled  in  Webster  county.  In 
1868  he  took  up  land  in  Badger  township  which  he  improved 
and  operated  until  his  death  which  occurred  on  November  11, 
1892,  when  he  was  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  His  wife  survived  him 
until   1905.  dying  in  .\ugust  of  that  year. 

Mr.  Houge  has  been  a  resident  of  Badger  township  since  he  was 
eight  years  of  age.  His  education  was  received  in  the  public 
schools  of  this  section  and  he  remained  at  home  until  he  had 
attained  his  majority.  When  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  he 
jjegan  active  life  for  himself,  renting  one  of  his  father's  farms 
and  operated  the  same  for  several  years  with  gratifying  success. 
He  purchased  this  property  and  carried  on  general  agriculture 
until  1890.  when  he  moved  to  the  village  of  Badger  and  established 
himself  in  the  merchandise  business,  conducting  a  store  and  farm- 
ing at  the  same  time  for  about  one  year.     He  later  disposed  of 


272  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

his  general  mercantile  business  and  conducted  a  hardware  store 
which  he  operated  successfully  and  along  the  most  progressive  and 
modern  lines  until  iiis  death  which  occurred  in  Jul}-,  1908. 

In  January,  1882,  Air.  Houge  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elinor  E.  Lindberg,  a  daugiiter  of  John  and  Christine  Lindberg, 
natives  of  Sweden.  Her  father  came  to  America  at  an  early  date, 
settling  in  Illinois  where  he  farmed  for  a  number  of  years  coming 
later  to  \\'ebster  county  where  he  purchased  land  in  Harden  town- 
ship which  he  operated  and  developed  until  September.  1893. 
Both  parents  were  making  their  home  with  Mrs.  Houge  when 
they  passed  away.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Houge  had  four  children:  Irene 
E.,  the  wife  of  Frederick  Dorheim,  of  Badger;  Arnold  E..  who  is 
a  hardware  merchant  in  the  same  village;  Clifford  K..  who  is  a 
successful  furniture  dealer;  and  Pearl  L..  who  passed  awav  in 
January,   191 1. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Houge  was  a  firm  republican 
and  always  actively  interested  in  the  welfare  and  progress  of  his 
section.  He  held  many  township  oiilices  and  was  mayor  of  Badger 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Modern  Wood- 
men of  America  and  well  known  in  the  affairs  of  that  organiza- 
tion. He  was  an  active  and  industrious  man,  of  a  good  business 
and  political  ability,  being  systematic  and  efficient  in  the  conduct 
of  his  mercantile  business,  and  upright,  conscientious  and  ])ublic 
spirited  in  his  official  life.  His  prosperity  was  of  the  solid  kind 
which  is  the  outgrowth  of  merit  and  his  business  was  kejit  sub- 
servient to  his  duties  of  citizenship.  His  death  caused  widespread 
regret  which  was  a  genuine  tribute  of  sorrow  for  the  close  of 
a  worthy  life. 


REV.  JAMES  J.  DOLLIVER. 

The  term  "bather  Dulli\er,'"  by  which  he  was  everywhere  known, 
indicated  how  high  was  the  position  which  the  Rev.  James  Jones  Dolli- 
ver  held  in  the  regard  and  love  of  his  fellowmcn.  It  is  a  name  that 
transcends  that  of  any  title,  indicating  the  closest  possible  relationship 
in  all  that  is  beautiful  anil  sacred  in  life.  In  his  later  years,  as  the 
result  of  his  far-reaching  efforts  in  the  ministry  and  the  noble  life 
which  he  led,  he  became  known  as  leather  Dolliver  throughout  the 
entire  country,  and  especially  in  Washington,  where  his  last  days  were 


REV.   JAMES   .1.   D0LL1\ER 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  273 

passed  in  the  home  of  his  distinguished  son,  J.  P.  DolHver.  A  native 
of  Saratoga  county.  New  York,  he  was  born  in  1816,  a  son  of  Captain 
Henry  and  Mary  (Van  Vorhees)  DolHxer.  The  former  was  captain 
of  a  ship  running  between  New  York  and  Lixerpool  and  served  in  the 
War  of  181J.  Captured  by  the  British,  he  was  sent  to  Dartmoor 
prison  in  England,  being  released  at  the  cessation  of  hostilities,  after 
which  he  returned  to  America. 

James  J.  Dolliver  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
New  Jersey,  where  he  spent  his  early  boyhood  and  afterward  engaged 
in  teaching  school.  He  was  truly  a  self-made  man  so  far  as  regards 
college  education,  but  in  the  school  of  experience  he  learned  many 
valuable  lessons.  He  learned  to  know  and  interpret  human  nature, 
to  understand  and  sympathize  with  human  weaknesses  and  to 
encourage  and  promote  the  better  cpialities.  Taking  up  the  profession 
of  teaching,  he  was  throughout  his  life  an  educator,  not  in  the  limited 
sense  of  giving  instruction  in  the  rudimentary  branches  or  even  in  the 
classics  and  sciences,  but  a  teacher  in  the  broader  sense  of  preparing 
the  individual  for  life's  responsible  duties.  On  leaving  the  east  he 
removed  to  Ohio  and  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Columbus.  While 
there  living  he  was  converted  and,  resolving  to  devote  his  life  to  the 
cause  of  Christianity,  became  a  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  For  more  than  a  half  century  he  was  thus  in  active  connection 
with  the  church,  preaching  in  Virginia  and  in  West  Virginia,  where 
he  was  particularly  interested  in  the  educational  affairs  of  the  church. 
He  was  ever  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  had  been  a  circuit  rider  in  Vir- 
ginia, carrying  the  gospel  into  isolated  homes  and  districts  where  there 
was  much  need  of  the  cheering  word  and  message  of  religion. 

At  Kingwood,  Preston  county,  Virginia,  Mr.  Dolliver  was  mar- 
ried to  Eliza  Jane  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Robert  Brown  of  that  place. 
The  family  to  which  she  belonged  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
distinguished  in  the  state,  her  uncle,  William  G.  Brown,  being  a  mem- 
ber of  congress  when  the  state  of  West  Virginia  was  formed.  The 
children  bfirn  unto  Mr.  and  Airs.  I)(jllivcr  were  the  Rev.  Robert  II. 
Dolliver,  who  married  Mary  Ella  Barrett,  of  Ohio;  the  Hon.  Jonathan 
P.  Dolliver.  who  married  Louise  Pear.sons,  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa; 
Victor  Brown,  who  wedded  Augjusta  Larrabee;  Marv',  the  wife  of  Ed- 
win R.  Graham,  of  Ohio;  and  Margaret  Gay  Dolliver,  who  now  occu- 
pies the  position  of  dean  of  women  at  Morningside  College. 

The  Rev.  James  J.  Dolliver  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the 
republican  party  and  with  him  politics  meant  one  of  the  (lci)artnients 


274  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

of  citizenship,  wliich  term  always  carries  with  it  a  sense  of  obligation 
and  responsibility  as  well  as  of  privilege.  He  was  concerned  with  the 
vital  sociological,  economical  and  political  questions  of  the  day  as  well 
as  with  the  great  moral  problems,  and  his  influence  was  ever  a  permeat- 
ing force  on  the  side  of  progress,  reform,  justice  and  truth.  He  lived 
with  his  son,  the  Hon.  Jonathan  P.  Dolliver,  during  the  latter's  public 
career  in  Washington  and  was  honored  and  beloved  by  all  who  knew 
him.  He  died  in  the  capital  city  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-nine  years 
and  was  laid  to  rest  in  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa.  Thus  ended  the  earthly 
career  of  "Father  Dolliver"  but  his  memory  is  enshrined  in  the  hearts 
of  all  who  knew  him  and  his  influence  is  felt  in  the  lives  of  all  who 
came  under  his  teaching. 


LUTHER  HERBERT  PRATT. 

Luther  Herljert  Pratt,  who  lives  upon  his  farm  on  section  22, 
Otho  Townsliip,  was  born  in  Granville,  Licking  county,  Ohio,  on 
the  nth  of  February,  1843.  His  parents  were  Luther  M.  and 
Chloe  D.  (Moore)  Pratt,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  (iran- 
ville.  The  father,  a  wagon  maker  by  trade,  worked  at  tiiat 
occupation  in  Granville  for  a  number  of  years.  Subsequently  he 
followed  farming  in  the  Buckeye  state  until  the  spring  of  1866, 
when  he  came  to  Webster  count}',  Iowa,  and  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  on  section  28,  Otho  Township.  Later  he  bought 
additional  tracts  of  land  until  he  owned  a  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  twenty-two  and  one-half  acres.  Here  his  wife  died  Xoven> 
ber  8,  1878.  He  married  again,  in  1880,  his  second  wife  being 
Jane  M.  (Kennedy)  Madden.  After  this  he  spent  part  of  his  time 
on  the  farm  and  part  in  Gowrie,  Iowa.  His  demise,  howe\er.  oc- 
curred in  South  Dakota,  October  21,  1890,  wliile  lie  was  in  that 
state  on  business.  His  second  wife  died  in  Rockford,  Washing- 
ton, July  29,  1900. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  the  state  of  his  nati\ity 
and  worked  at  home  for  his  father  until  1862.  Then  came  the 
call  of  President  Lincoln  for  volunteers,  and  August  15,  1862, 
Mr.  Pratt  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  A,  Eighty-eighth  Ohio 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  remained  with  that  command  until  he  was 
nuistered  out,  July  3,  1865.  After  the  war  he  came  to  Webster 
county,  Iowa,  and  lived  with  his  parents  for  several  years.  In  1875 
he  rented  a  farm  in  Otho  township,  devoting  his  attention  to  its  opera- 


^0 

I 


uJ 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  277 

tion  for  three  years.  Tlien,  in  187S,  he  went  to  Chnton  county,  Iowa, 
where  for  one  year  he  owned  and  conducted  a  drug  store.  Later,  in 
1879,  he  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Charlotte,  and  acted  in  that 
capacity  for  six  years.  With  the  change  of  administration,  when 
Cleveland  became  president,  he  was  relieved  of  the  office.  Soon  after, 
in  April,  1886,  he  returned  to  Webster  county,  Iowa,  and  cultivated 
rented  land  for  eight  years.  Subsequently  in  1894,  he  purchased  sixty- 
five  acres  of  liis  present  farm,  on  section  22.  Otho  township,  and 
began  the  improvement  of  the  place.  The  farm  house  is  situated 
en  the  bluffs  overlooking  the  Des  Moines  River  valley,  and  is 
surrounded  by  native  timber,  making  a  pleasant  and  attractive 
property.  This  with  some  additional  land,  afterward  purchased, 
still  remains  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pratt. 

On  the  29th  of  August,  1875,  Mr.  Pratt  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Vergenia  L,  Markham,  a  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Zurviah 
Mary  (Shaw)  Markham,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  New 
York,  and  where  she  herself  was  born  March  22,  1854.  The 
father,  a  carpenter  by  trade,  worked  at  that  occupation  in  the 
Empire  state  until  April,  1855,  when  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  at 
Charlotte,  Clinton  county.  There  he  continued  the  work  of  his 
trade  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life,  passing  away  on  the 
4th  of  November,  1904.  His  wife  had  previously  died  on  the 
8th  of  January,  18S5.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pratt  have  one  son,  Harlow 
M.,  who  is  an  attorney  of  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa,  and  the  editor  of 
this  history. 

In  politics  Mr.  Pratt  is  a  stanch  republican.  He  has  served 
as  trustee  of  Otho  township  and  has  also  filled  the  offices  of  as- 
sessor and  school  director  at  different  times.  His  religious  faith 
is  that  of  the  Congregational  church,  while  his  wife  is  a 
Methodist. 


HIK.\M  H.  BALDWIN,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Hiram  II.  Baldwin  is  one  of  the  well  known  members  of 

the  medical  fraternity  of  Webster  county,  having  been  actively 

and   successfully   engaged   in   the   practice   of  this   profession   in 

Clare  for  twenty  years.     He  was  born  in  De  Kalb,  Illinois,  on  the 

12th  of  Seincml)er,  1849,  and  is  a  son  of  Smith   1).  and  S.-irali  D. 

(Hopkins)    llaldwin.  natives  of  Ohjf)  and   .Salem,   New   ^'ork,  re- 
voi.  n— 16 


278  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

spectively.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  the  father  enlisted 
as  second  Heutenant  under  Captain  John  Chapman  of  the  Third 
Ohio  Infantry  and  went  to  the  front  in  the  Mexican  war.  He 
enlisted  at  Tiffin.  Ohio,  on  the  3d  of  June,  1846,  and  remained  in 
the  service  for  thirteen  months.  A  blacksmith  by  trade,  when 
mustered  out  of  the  army  he  went  to  DeKalb,  Illinois,  and  es- 
tablislied  a  wagon  and  blacksmith  shop,  which  he  conducted  for 
many  years.  He  also  entered  a  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
and  engaged  to  a  limited  degree  in  agricultural  piu'suits  in  con- 
nection with  working  at  his  trade.  In  1869.  he  remo\ed  with  his 
family  to  Calhoun  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  the  \icinity  of  Lake  City.  The  development  of  his  farm 
engaged  his  entire  time  and  attention  during  the  remainder  of 
his  life,  his  death  here  occurring  in  August,  1872,  at  the  age  of 
forty-seven  years.  He  was  long  survived  by  the  mother,  who  had 
nearly  reached  the  eighty-seventh  anniversary  of  her  birth  before 
passing  away  on  January  6,  1912. 

Dr.  Baldwin  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  nati\e  town,  where 
he  passed  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life.  After  leaving  the 
public  school  he  learned  the  printer's  trade,  which  he  followed  in 
DeKalb  for  four  years.  He  accompanied  his  family  on  their 
1  emo\-al  to  Iowa  and  assisted  his  father  with  the  cultixation  of 
the  home  place  until  1871.  During  that  time  he  also  assisted  in 
establishing  and  operating  the  first  newspaper  in  Calhoun  county. 
In  the  fall  of  "71,  he  returned  to  DeKalb  and  began  the  study  of 
medicine  under  the  direction  of  his  uncle.  Dr.  Robert  Hopkins. 
The  iiext  year  he  matriculated  in  the  medical  department  of  the 
Northwestern  University  and  there  continued  his  professional 
studies  for  a  year.  Having  exhausted  his  funds  at  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  was  compelled  to  go  to  work  in  order  to  accpiire 
the  means  to  continue  his  education.  The  next  foiu'  years  he  was 
employed  at  various  vocations,  resuming  his  studies  in  the  fall 
of  1878.  He  remained  in  college  during  the  succeeding  two  years. 
l)eing  graduated  with  the  class  of  1880.  Upon  receiving  his  degree 
he  returned  to  Lake  City,  where  he  established  an  office  and  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  his  profession  until  the  251I1  of  August. 
1892,  when  he  disposed  of  his  interests  at  that  point  and  came  to 
Clare.  Here  he  has  ever  since  been  located  and  has  met  with  a 
good  measure  of  success  in  building  up  a  practice.  He  owns  a 
nice  residence  and  business  building  on  Main  street,  and  is  held 
in  high  regard  in  the  commiuiity  both  as  a  re])resentati\e  of  his 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  279 

profession  and  as  a  private  citizen.  In  addition  to  his  private 
practice  Dr.  Baldwin  is  the  local  examiner  for  several  of  the  old 
line  insurance  companies. 

In  March,  1882,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Dr.  Baldwin 
and  Miss  Margaret  A.  Hines,  of  Janesville,  Wisconsin.  She  is 
a  daughter  of  Patrick  and  Johana  Hines,  natives  of  Ireland, 
whence  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  earl)^  life. 

Dr.  Baldwin  is  not  identified  with  any  church  but  Mrs.  Baldwin 
is  a  Roman  Catholic.  He  votes  the  democratic  ticket,  and  while 
living  in  Calhoun  county  took  an  active  interest  in  politics,  having 
been  the  first  mayor  of  Lake  City,  where  he  also  held  the  office  of 
postmaster  from  1886  to  1890.  He  is  a  member  of  the  County  and 
State  Medical  Societies,  through  the  medium  of  which  organiza- 
tions he  maintains  relations  with  his  fellow  practitioners.  A 
residence  in  Clare  covering  a  period  of  more  than  twentv  vears 
has  enabled  Dr.  Baldwin  to  prove  himself  to  be  not  onlv  a  skilful 
physician  and  surgeon  but  a  man  of  many  estimaljle  qualities  and 
traits  of  character,  which  have  served  to  win  him  the  stanch 
loyaltv  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 


PATRICK  T.  BURKE. 


Patrick  T.  Burke  has  been  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise 
business  in  Barnum,  Iowa,  for  many  years,  having  a  record  of 
almost  twenty-five  years  of  continuously  successful  activity  in 
one  location.  By  being  always  upright  and  straightforward  in 
his  methods  and  standards  of  operation  and  liy  keeping  his  stock 
of  the  highest  quality  he  has  become  known  as  the  most  trust- 
worthy tradesman  in  the  village  and  has  gained  well  deserved 
prosperity.  He  was  born  in  Johnson  township,  February  i,  1865, 
and  is  a  son  of  Philip  and  Bridget  (Connors)  Burke,  natives  of 
Ireland.  The  father  came  to  America  in  1852,  settling  fust  in 
Illinois,  where  he  worked  at  railroading.  In  1857  ho  came  to 
Webster  county  and  entered  land  near  Clare,  Johnson  township. 
.■\fter  proving  his  title  he  moveil  upon  the  property,  which  he 
operated  and  developed  until  1870.  when  he  disposed  of  his  hold- 
ings and  went  to  Calhoun  county.  Here  he  again  purchased  land 
and  farmed  along  progressive  lines  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred in  September,  1877.  He  was  killed  in  a  runaway  accident. 
His  wife  survived  him  until  December.  1907. 


280  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Patrick  Burke  was  reared  at  home  and  educated  in  the  pubHc 
schools  of  Webster  county,  where  he  has  spent  his  entire  Hfe. 
He  remained  with  his  parents  upon  the  home  farm  until  he  at- 
tained his  majority,  subsequently  establishing  himself  in  the  mer- 
cantile business,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Tom  Con- 
nors in  the  conduct  of  a  general  store  and  the  association  con- 
tinued for  a  year  and  a  half,  after  which  Mr.  Burke  purchased 
]\Ir.  Connors'  interest  and  has  since  continued  the  enterprise 
alone.  He  is  at  present  located  upon  the  site  where  his  business 
was  founded  in  1888.  He  has  met  with  some  reverses  but  has  on 
the  whole  been  unusually  successful.  His  store  and  some  of  his 
stock  were  destroyed  by  fire  on  June  10,  1902,  when  the  entire 
business  section  of  the  village  was  wiped  out  with  a  loss  to  the 
community  of  thirty  thousand  dollars.  Fifteen  substantial  build- 
ings were  burned  to  the  ground,  among  them  Mr.  Burke's  store. 
He  immediately  afterward  erected  a  fine,  one-story  brick  building 
which  he  now  occupies.  He  owns  the  double  brick  structure  ad- 
joining this  and  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  F.levator  Com- 
pany and  the  Barnum  Telephone  Company.  He  has  been  very 
successful,  having  founded  his  prosperity  upon  high  standards  of 
commercial  honor  and  integrity.  He  has  never  sold  his  home 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Calhoun  enmity  and  this 
is  now  an  additional  source  of  income  to  him. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Burke  is  a  consistent  republican 
and  has  served  as  secretary  of  the  Barnum  school  lioard  for  twenty 
years  and  also  did  able  work  as  a  member  of  the  town  council. 
He  belongs  to  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  to 
the  Modern  AN'oodmen  of  .America.  He  has  built  up  gradually 
an  enterprise  which  is  now  important  in  retail  trade  circles  of 
Barnum.  seeking  no  success  more  conspicuous  than  that  which  he 
has  attained  in  his  reputation  as  a  clean  and  practical  business 
man. 


EDWARD  BURGFRIED. 

The  late  Edward  Burgfried  was  one  of  the  natives  of  German3% 
who  came  to  America  practically  empty-handed  and  through  his 
inherent  diligence  and  tiirift  ultimately  liecamc  numbered  among 
the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  \\'el)ster  county,  owning  at   the 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  281 

time  of  his  demise  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  well  cultivated 
land  in  Douglas  township.  His  natal  day  was  in  Alarch,  1843, 
and  his  parents  Doniinicus  and  Margaret  (Mangold)  Burgfried, 
who  passed  their  entire  lives  in  Germany,  where  the  father  fol- 
lowed the  profession  of  architecture. 

The  first  thirty-one  years  in  the  life  of  Edward  Burgfried  were 
passed  in  the  land  of  his  birth.  Feeling  convinced  at  the  ex- 
piration of  that  time  that  America  afforded  better  opportunities 
to  the  enterprising  man  than  were  to  be  found  in  his  native  land 
he  took  passage  with  his  wife  and  family  for  the  United  States. 
They  located  in  Fort  Dodge,  this  county,  in  1874  and  there  for 
three  years  he  followed  the  carpenter's  trade.  He  next  turned 
his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  in  1877  I'ented  a  farm 
in  Douglas  township,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  met  with  such 
success  that  the  next  year  he  was  able  to  buy  an  eighty  acre  tract. 
He  kept  on  increasing  his  holdings  from  time  to  time,  as  he  was 
able,  until  he  held  the  title  to  two  hundred  and  forty  acres.  He 
engaged  in  the  development  of  his  property  until  his  death,  which 
resulted  from  an  accident,  on  the  23d  of  October,  1883.  He  was 
plowing  a  field,  and  had  taken  with  him  to  his  work  a  gun  in 
order  that  he  might  shoot  any  game  he  saw;  in  some  way  it  was 
discharged  and  he  was   instantly  killed. 

In  Germany  in  November,  1867,  Mr.  Burgfried  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Crescenzia  Knoevley,  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and 
Rosina  (Egenter)  Knoevley.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  in  his  nati\e  land  until  about  fif- 
teen years  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  January,  1890. 
The  mother,  who  has  now  attained  the  venerable  age  of  ninety 
years,  still  makes  her  home  in  Germany.  Ten  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Burgfried,  as  follow^s :  Theodore,  who  died  in 
Germany  in  1869;  Cireak,  who  died  in  1871  ;  Max,  who  is  a 
farmer  in  South  Dakota :  Edward,  who  lives  at  home ;  Theo- 
dore, who  is  a  resident  of  Des  Moines;  Mary  Frances,  the  wife  of 
William  Murphy,  a  farmer  of  Douglas  township;  Joseph  and 
George,  who  are  at  home;  Rosina,  the  wife  of  James  Dwyer,  of 
Johnson  township;  and  Adolph  E.,  .who  is  attending  the  State 
University. 

Mrs.  Burgfried,  who  is  now  sixty-five  years  of  age,  having  been 
born  on  the  17th  of  December,  1847,  is  a  woman  of  unusual  ex- 
ecutive and  business  ability.  After  the  death  of  her  husband,  to- 
gether with  her  sons  she  continued  the  operation  of  the   farm. 


282  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

As  she  is  practical  and  a  capable  manager  she  prospered  in  her 
undertakings,  and  has  added  to  her  acreage  until  she  owns  five 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  highly  improved  land. 

In  matters  of  faith  Mr.  Burgfried  was  a  Roman  Catholic,  as 
are  also  his  widow  and  family,  while  his  political  support  he  ac- 
corded to  the  republican  party.  He  vi^as  a  man  of  many  excel- 
lent qualities  and  was  highly  esteemed  in  his  community,  where 
he  had  shown  himself  to  be  honorable  and  upright  in  all  matters 
of  business,  and  was  in  every  way  a  desirable  citizen. 


CHARLES  FAVERSHAM  BUNCOMBE. 

The  history  of  Fort  Dodge  bears  evidence  of  the  professional 
and  commercial  activity  of  Charles  Faversham  Buncombe,  who 
since  1884  has  been  identified  with  journalistic  interests  here 
and  at  the  same  time  has  become  a  factor  in  the  manufacturing 
and  financial  circles  of  the  city.  He  was  here  born  February  20, 
1864,  a  son  of  John  F'rancis  and  Mary  A.  Buncombe.  The  father 
was  a  prominent  and  influential  resident  of  Fort  Bodge,  where 
he  settled  in  April,  1855,  becoming  a  pioneer  lawyer  of  this  then 
frontier  village.  He  was  born  October  22,  183 1,  in  Wattsburg, 
Pennsylvania,  and  was  educated  in  Allegheny  College  of  Mead- 
viile,  Pennsylvania,  and  Central  University  of  Banville,  Kentucky. 
He  read  law  in  his  native  town  and  for  a  year  practiced  in  Penn- 
sylvania, but  in  April,  1855,  came  to  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  won 
prominence  in  professional  circles.  In  1857,  when  the  news  of 
the  Spirit  Lake  massacre  reached  this  cit\',  he  was  active  in  rai.s- 
ing  troops  to  march  against  the  Indians  and  as  captain  of  a  com- 
pany went  to  the  defense  of  tiie  frontier.  In  1S58  he  wedded 
Mary  A.  Williams,  daughter  of  Major  William  Williams.  The 
following  year  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate  and  later  was 
twice  a  member  of  the  lower  house.  In  1872  he  was  chairman  of 
the  Iowa  delegation  to  the  national  democratic  convention  at 
Baltimore,  and  in  1892  was  selected  to  present  the  name  of  Horace 
Boies  before  the  national  democratic  convention  of  that  year  for 
president.  He  served  for  sixteen  years  as  regent  of  the  State 
University  and  at  the  same  time  he  continued  a  prominent  repre- 
sentative of  his  professioTi.  serving  for  thirty-si.x  years  as  attorney 
for  the   Iowa   division  of  the   Illinois   Central    Railroad,   also  as 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  283 

attorney  for  the  Alasoii  City  &  Fort  Dodge  Railroad,  the  Des 
Moines  &  Fort  Dodge  and  the  Cherokee  &  Dakota  Railroads, 
practicing-  over  twenty-five  counties  in  the  state.  He  was  also  a 
leading  factor  in  the  development  of  the  coal  interests  of  his 
part  of  Iowa  and  as  such  contributed  largely  to  material  progress. 
His  labors  were  indeed  a  large  factor  in  the  growth  and  upbuild- 
ing of  the  section  in  which  he  lived  and  his  intense  business  and 
professional  activity  were  combined  with  a  high  sense  of  honor 
that  made  him  one  of  the  most  esteemed  citizens  of  Fort  Dodge. 
His  \vife,  who  came  to  this  city  with  her  parents  in  March,  1855,  is 
now  president  of  the  Webster  County  Historical  Society.  John 
F.  Dunconibe  was  a  charter  member  of  the  chapter  and  com- 
mandery  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  here  and  was  also  a  Scottish 
Rite  Mason.  In  politics  he  was  a  stalwart  democrat.  He  re- 
mained a  resident  of  Webster  county  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred August  2,  1902.  In  the  family  were  three  sons  and  two 
daughters:  William  E.,  Charles  F.,  Mary  J.,  Gertrude  and  John  A. 

Charles  F.  Duncombe  pursued  his  education  in  public  and 
private  schools  and  in  the  State  University  but  did  not  reach 
graduation.  He  was  a  young  man  of  but  twenty  years  when  he 
became  identified  with  the  jniblication  of  a  newspaper  in  Fort 
Dodge  and  he  has  since  been  closely  associated  with  journalistic 
interests  here,  being  now  sole  owner  of  the  Fort  Dodge  Daily 
Chronicle,  which  is  one  of  the  best  known  and  leading  journals 
of  the  state.  In  its  colunnis  he  has  discussed  vital  public  ques- 
tions relating  to  municipal  affairs  and  to  state  and  national  wel- 
fare. His  position  has  alwa3s  been  characterized  by  a  progres- 
siveness  that  has  its  root  in  ])ractical  methods.  In  business  cir- 
cles, too,  Mr.  Duncombe  has  made  a  creditable  name  and  place 
for  himself.  For  fourteen  years  he  was  actively  identified  with 
the  manufacture  of  gypsum  products  and  in  addition  to  being  a 
stockholder  in  the  United  States  Gypsum  Company  he  is  also 
financially  interested  in  the  Monarch  Telephone  Company,  the 
Fort  Dodge  National  Bank  and  in  farm  lands,  beside  owning 
town  property,  including  the  building  which  is  the  homie  of  the 
Chronicle. 

In  public  office  Mr.  Duncombe  has  also  left  the  impress  of  his 
individuality  upon  the  welfare  of  the  city.  He  was  postmaster 
trdui  1H04  until  i8f)8  and  niaynr  fmni  1906  until  1908,  when  lie 
declined  to  become  a  candidate  for  reelection.  In  1908  he  was 
honored  bv  the  democrats  of  Iowa  bv  being  named  as  one  of  the 


284  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

four  delegates-at-large  to  the  Denver  convention.  At  the  piesent 
writing  he  is  president  of  the  school  board,  a  director  of  the 
Chautauqua  Association  and  a  director  of  the  Country  Club, 
all  of  which  goes  to  show  the  nature  and  breadth  of  his  interests. 
His  military  history  covers  service  as  first  sergeant  of  the  first 
company  organized  in  Fort  Dodge.  His  political  allegiance  has 
always  been  given  to  the  democratic  party  and  he  is  well  known 
in  fraternal  relations,  holding  membership  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  the  Red  Men  and  the  Moose.  Of  the  first  named  he  has 
been  chancellor  commander  and  keeper  of  the  records  and  seals. 
On  the  22d  of  November,  1887,  at  Fort  Dodge,  Mr.  Duncombe 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Antoinette  Hull,  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  M.  Hull.  The  father,  who  was  a  leading 
dry-goods  merchant  here,  died  in  December,  1884,  and  the  mother, 
who  had  lived  here  from  her  childhood,  coming  with  her  parents 
from  Harvard,  Illinois,  passed  away  on  the  17th  of  September, 
1912.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Duncombe  have  two  children,  John  Faver- 
sham  and  Carl  Milton.  The  family  attend  the  Episcopal  church, 
of  which  Mr.  Duncombe  and  his  wife  are  members,  and  Mr. 
Duncombe  also  is  a  vestryman.  They  have  been  lifelong  resi- 
dents of  this  city  and  have  a  circle  of  friends  here  almost  coex- 
tensive WMth  the  circle  of  their  acquaintance.  His  varied  business 
interests  and  his  official  service  have  brought  him  prominently 
before  the  public  and  none  question  the  sincerity  of  his  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  the  municipality,  for  this  has  found  tangible  proof 
in  his  many  acts  for  the  city's  good. 


VICTOR  BROWN  DOLLIVER. 

Victor  Brown  Dolliver  was  a  representative  of  the  highest  type  of 
citizenship.  He  stood  for  those  things  which  are  most  worth  while  in 
life — the  highest  physical,  mental  and  moral  development — and  his 
beliefs  and  s}mipathies  found  expression  in  tangible  efifort  for  the 
good  of  his  fellowmen.  He  worked  for  the  benefit  of  the  majority 
in  his  political  activity,  in  the  church  and  in  many  other  ways,  ever 
progressing  toward  the  high  ideals  which  he  had  set  up.  He  was  bom 
in  Kingwood,  W^est  Virginia,  IMarch  18,  1861,  a  son  of  the  Rev.  James 
Jones  and  Eliza  Jane  (Brown)  Dolliver.    He  was  early  possessed  of  a 


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HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  285 

desire  for  an  education  and  walked  from  five  to  seven  miles  to  attend 
elementary  schools.  He  afterward  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity 
of  pursuing  a  three  years'  course  at  the  State  Normal  Scliool  at  Fair- 
mont, West  Virginia,  and  he  also  attended  De  Pauw  University  at 
Greencastle,  Indiana.  He  at  length  completed  a  course  in  Cornell  Col- 
lege at  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa,  in  1887  and  was  graduated  from  the 
Columbia  Law  School  at  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1891.  He  became 
widely  and  favorably  known  through  his  efforts  in  the  field  of  teaching. 
He  was  principal  of  the  public  schools  in  Cowrie,  Iowa,  and  afterward 
accepted  the  jxisition  of  principal  of  the  Methodist  Seminary  in  Salt 
Lake  City,  Utah.  In  the  latter  position  he  came  in  close  contact  with 
Mormonism  and  was  a  leader  of  the  Gentile  element  in  opposition  to 
the  admission  of  Utah  as  a  state  because  of  the  power  which  would 
thus  be  given  to  Mormon  influence.  His  wise  and  judicious  invest- 
ments in  real  estate  at  length  made  him  an  extensive  landowner,  for  as 
he  profited  in  one  sale  he  would  make  further  purchases  until  his  hold- 
ings were  large  and  important. 

]\Ir.  Dolliver's  boyhood  days,  spent  upon  the  borderland  between 
the  great  contending  sections  of  the  country,  gave  him  a  hatred  for 
slavery  and  a  love  for  the  Union  that  resulted  in  his  becoming  an 
ardent  advocate  of  republican  principles.  With  him,  to  believe  in  a 
cause  was  to  espouse  it  and  he  became  a  prominent  political  speaker, 
holding  the  attention  of  his  auditors  when  he  addressed  them  upon  the 
vital  and  living  questions  of  the  time. 

In  1896  'Sir.  Dolliver  was  married  to  Miss  Augusta  Larrabee.  the 
eldest  daughter  of  ex-Governor  Larrabee,  of  Iowa.  During  her 
father's  four  years'  term  as  go\ernor  of  the  state  she  was  prominent 
and  popular  in  the  social  circles  of  the  capital,  winning  the  love  and 
friendship  of  all  with  whom  she  came  in  contact  not  only  among  the 
residents  of  Des  Moines  but  throughout  Iowa  as  well. 

Mr.  Dolliver  was  a  lifelong  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  and  one  of  the  most  prominent  laymen  in  that  denomination  in 
Iowa.  He  went  as  a  member  to  the  general  conference  in  Los  Angeles, 
California,  in  1904  and  he  was  unfailing  in  his  efforts  to  promote  the 
upbuilding  of  the  church  in  every  possible  way.  From  the  time  of  his 
wife's  death  in  1899  he  seemed  to  live  for  others  rather  than  himself. 
He  was  continually  helping  the  poor,  visiting  the  sick,  sending  beauti- 
ful flowers  to  cheer  the  sickroom  or  speaking  words  of  comfort  and 
peace  to  the  sufferer.     He  loved  his  church  and  had  made  extensive 


286  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

plans  for  its  future  that  its  work  might  be  extended  and  its  influence 
broadened.  A  gift  of  ten  thousand  dollars  to  Morningside  College  a 
few  months  before  his  death  was  one  of  his  last  important  efforts  to 
promote  the  growth  of  the  church.  His  life  was  indeed  of  far-reaching 
influence  and  benefit,  and  the  world  is  better  for  his  having  lived. 


AUGUST  MOLLENHOFF. 

August  ^lollenhoff  is  among  the  well  known  fanners  of  Webster 
county,  where  he  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  a  highly 
developed  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  located  on  section 
21,  Burnside  township.  He  was  born  in  Andover,  Henry  county,  Illi- 
nois, September  5,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Hans  and  Sophia  (Larson) 
Mollenhoff,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Sweden.  The  father  came 
to  America  about  1850,  coming  to  Andover,  where  he  married  in 
1853,  and  went  to  Pike's  Peak,  Colorado,  at  the  time  of  the  gold  ex- 
citement in  185S.  He  remained  there  for  two  years  and  then  returned 
to  Andover,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  w  here  he  took  up  employnient  as 
a  mail  carrier  and  in  that  occupation  continued  for  a  period  of  ten 
years.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sophia  Larson,  a  daughter 
of  Peter  Larson,  who  emigrated  to  America  and  settled  in  Andover, 
Henry  county,  Illinois,  in  1849.  It  took  six  months  to  make  the  trip 
from  Sweden,  fourteen  weeks  of  which  were  si)ent  crossing  the 
Atlantic.  Peter  Larson  was  first  married  in  Sweden  and  had  a 
family  of  two  daughters  and  one  son.  His  wife  died  at  the  time  he 
emigrated  to  America  and  was  buried  at  sea  and  lie  later  married 
Sophia  .\nderson.  and  to  that  union  one  daughter  was  born.  The 
mother  died  and  Mr.  Larson  was  later  married  and  to  his  third  union 
a  large  family  was  born.  He  died  in  Andover,  Henry  county,  and 
was  there  buried.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hans  Mollenhoff  six  children 
were  born.  J.  P.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  Stanton, 
Iowa,  married  Clara  Anderson,  of  Geneseo,  Illinois.  Sarah,  who 
became  the  wife  of  A.  W.  Johnson,  of  Andover,  passed  away  in 
December.  1884,  at  the  age  of  twenty-four,  leaving  one  son,  Reuben, 
and  was  buried  near  McPherson,  Kansas.  August,  tfie  subject  of 
our  .sketch,  is  the  next  in  order  of  birth.  Matilda  is  the  wife  of  .-Mfred 
Rosenquist  and  resides  in  Burnside  township.  Ernest,  who  is  engaged 
in  the  produce  business,  married  Sadie  Freed,  a  daugliter  of  C.  J- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUx\'TY  287 

Freed,  and  resides  in  Stanton,  Iowa.  Edward  wedded  Emma  Peter- 
son and  resides  on  the  old  home  farm.  The  father  of  this  family, 
Hans  Mollenhotf,  came  to  Burnside  in  1881  and  died  at  the  age  of 
eighty-one  and  was  burieil  at  Dayton  cemetery.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  owned  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  adjoining 
the  town  of  Burnside.  He  also  owned  land  near  Lehigh,  but  never 
improved  the  property  as  it  was  heavily  timbered  and  the  animal  in- 
crease in  timber  value  was  sufficient  to  make  it  a  good  investment 
without  in  any  way,  disturbing  its  condition.  This  property  is  now 
owned  by  his  widow,  who  resides  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Alfred 
Rosenquist. 

August  Alollenhoff  was  reared  in  his  parents'  home  and  received 
his  elementary  education  in  Henry  county,  Illinois.  At  the  age  of 
about  eighteen  he  settled  in  Burnside  township,  Webster  county,  Iowa, 
where  he  was  engaged  at  work  for  a  number  of  years,  after  which  he 
removed  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  and  after  spending  five  years  in  that 
city,  he  returned  to  Burnside  township  and  later  lived  for  one  year 
in  Gowrie,  Iowa,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  paint  and  furniture 
business.  He  then  returned  to  Burnside,  where  he  established  a 
furniture  store,  which  he  conducted  for  one  year.  He  then  purchased 
from  E.  H.  Litchfield  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  unimproved 
land  located  on  section  21,  Burnside  township,  where  he  established 
his  home  and  has  since  continued  to  reside.  He  has  improved  the 
place  with  suitable  farm  buildings  and  has  also  planted  ornamental 
and  fruit  trees  of  various  kinds.  The  county  ditch  crosses  Mr.  Mol- 
eight  hundred  dollars.  In  addition  to  the  drainage  value  of  that  ditch 
lenhoff's  farm,  the  expense  of  which  to  him  in  assessed  ta.xes  was 
he  has  also  thoroughly  tiled  the  entire  place.  He  raises  mixed  grains 
and  also  makes  a  specialty  of  pure-bred  Hereford  cattle  and  hogs. 

Mr.  Mollenhoft'  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emily  Anderson, 
a  native  of  Sweden.  Her  father  is  deceased  but  her  mother  still  lives 
in  Sweden.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mollenhoff  six  children  have  been  born : 
Laura,  who  is  attending  Tobin  College;  Alma,  a  pupil  in  the  public 
schools  of  Burnside  township;  and  Raymond,  Harley,  Mabel  and 
Clarence,  aged  respectively  thirteen,  eleven,  eight  and  six  years,  all  of 
whom  are  attending  school.  Mr.  Mollenhoff  at  one  time  was  affiliated 
with  the  republican  party  and  served  as  constable  of  his  township  for 
ten  years,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  for  one  tenn  and  has  been  a 
school  director  for  seven  years.  lie  is  at  present  affiliated  with  the 
republican  party  and  he  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran 


288  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

church,  yir.  Mollenhoff  is  numbered  among  the  \ery  successful 
farmers  of  Burnside  township  and  is  a  man  wlio  is  highly  resiiected 
for  his  integrity  in  all  business  transactions  and  who  by  public  opinion 
is  placed  among  the  useful  citizens  of  his  part  of  the  state. 


EDGAR  H.   WILLIAMS. 


Edgar  H.  Williams  is  well  known  in  business  circles  of  Fort  Dodge 
as  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager  of  the  E.  H.  Williams  Lumber 
Company,  which  concern  he  organized.  His  birth  occurred  in  Bur- 
lington, Wisconsin,  on  the  22(1  of  May,  1868,  his  parents  being  Ed- 
gar and  Cornelia  (Law)  Williams,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
New  York.  His  paternal  grandfather,  a  native  of  Wales,  and  an 
agriculturist  by  occupation,  became  an  early  settler  of  Bartlett,  Oneida 
county.  New  York.  Both  he  and  his  wife  attained  a  ripe  old  age  and 
reared  a  large  family  of  children.  George  W.  Law,  the  maternal 
grandfather  of  our  subject,  was  a  native  of  New  York,  and  a  farmer 
by  occupation.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of 
Harriet  Blakesley,  were  well  advanced  in  years  when  called  to  their 
final  rest.     Their  children  were  eight  in  number. 

lidgar  W  illiams,  the  father  of  E.  H.  U'illiams.  was  reared  in 
Oneida  county.  New  York,  and  Itecame  an  early  settler  of  Burlington, 
Wisconsin,  wliere  he  embarked  in  business  as  a  manufacturer  of 
farming  implements,  carriages  and  wagons.  He  there  passed  away 
in  1 87 1,  at  the  comparatively  early  age  of  thirty-seven  years.  His 
widow  is  still  living  and  makes  her  home  at  Canastota,  New  York. 
He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  tiie  republican  party,  was  a  Baptist 
in  religious  faith  and  fraternally  was  identified  with  the  Indeiiendent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  widow  is  also  a  devoted  member  of  the 
Baptist  church.  Tiieir  children  were  five  in  number,  namely:  Rhoda 
Gertrude,  who  is  the  widow  of  W.  E.  Barott  and  resides  in  Canas- 
tota, New  ^'ork;  Clarence  B.,  who  makes  his  home  at  Morningside, 
Sioux  City,  Iowa;  Florence  J.,  who  is  the  widow  of  E.  A.  Haines  and 
lives  in  Canastota,  New  York;  Edgar  H.,  of  this  review ;  and  Charles, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years. 

Edear  H  Williams,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  was  three 
years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  when  taken  by  his  widowed 
mother  to  Bartlett.  New  "S'ork.  where  he  grew  to  manlioixl.  He  pur- 
sued his  early  education  in  tiie  common  schools,  later  attended  the 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  289 

Canastota  high  school  and  then  continued  his  studies  in  Cook 
Academy  at  Havana,  New  York.  He  spent  two  winters  as  a  district 
schoolteacher  and  in  1888  came  to  Iowa,  operating  a  farm  in  Douglas 
township,  \\'ebster  county,  for  three  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that 
period  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Fort  Dodge  and  for  nine  years  acted 
as  manager  of  the  lumberyard  owned  by  G.  W.  Mason.  During  the 
following  year  he  had  charge  of  four  yards  in  southern  Iowa  and 
subsequently  spent  five  years  as  manager  of  the  Citizens  Lumber  Com- 
pany of  Fort  Dodge  and  four  years  as  manager  for  the  Townsend  & 
Merrill  Company  of  this  city.  Feeling  that  his  capital  and  experience 
justified  him  in  embarking  in  business  on  his  own  account,  he  then  or- 
ganized the  E.  H.  Williams  Lumber  Company,  of  which  he  has  been 
the  secretary,  treasurer  and  manager  to  the  present  time.  He  is  a 
man  of  splendid  business  ability  and  sound  judgment,  and  under  his 
direction  the  enterprise  has  enjoyed  continued  growth  and  success. 
On  the  18th  of  July,  1892,  Mr.  Williams  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Carrie  E.  Winter,  who  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania, 
on  the  loth  of  October,  1869,  her  parents  being  William  and  Anna 
(Terry)  \\'inter,  both  deceased.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Eng- 
land and  the  mother  of  Huntingdon,  Pennsylvania.  They  had  six 
children,  as  follows:  Carrie  E. ;  James;  Florence;  W^illiam;  Adelia; 
and  .\nna.  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williams  have  one 
son.  Robert  Law,  whose  natal  day  was  June  7,  1895. 

In  ix)litics  Mr.  Williams  is  a  republican  and  for  nine  years  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  a  worthy  exemplar  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  belonging  to  Ashlar  Lodge,  No.  iii,  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  also  to  the  chapter,  R.  A.  M.  He  is  a  deacon  in  the  Baptist 
church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  Throughout  the  period  of  his 
residence  in  Fort  Dodge,  covering  about  a  quarter  of  a  century,  Mr. 
Williams  has  maintained  an  unassailable  reputation  for  business  en- 
terprise and  probity,  while  the  sterling  worth  of  his  character  has 
gained  him  the  friendship  of  those  with  whom  he  has  come  into 
contact. 


CURTIS  G.  MESSEROLE. 

Curtis  G.  Messerole  is  one  of  the  cntcri)rising  citizens  of  W^ebster 
county,  located  at  Gowric,  and  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  grain 
and  lumber  business.  He  was  burn  in  Clayton  county,  Iowa,  Janu- 
ary 3,  1864,  and  is  a  son  of  Jacol)  and  Mary  (.\bbott)  Messerole. 


290  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

The  paternal  grandparent  was  of  Welch  stock,  being  born  in 
Brooklyn,  New  York,  settling  later  in  Ohio,  where  his  family  was 
reared,  moving  subsequently  to  Michigan,  where  he  died  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  ninety-four  years.  The  father  was  a  nati\e  of  Brook- 
lyn, New  York,  moving  with  his  parents  to  Ohio,  where  he  resided 
until  1852,  wlien  he  moved  with  his  wife  and  one  child  to  Clayton 
county.  Iowa.  He  later  went  to  Manchester,  in  Delaware  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  coal,  wood  and  ice  business,  also  being  the 
owner  of  two  farms,  including  two  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Dela- 
ware county.  The  mother  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  was  descended 
from  Puritan  stock.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children,  of 
whuni  ihe  subject  of  this  review  was  the  youngest. 

Curtis  G.  Messerole  was  reared  in  his  parents'  home  and  received 
his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Iowa.  After  completing  his 
school  course  he  was  engaged  in  working  on  a  farm  until  he  was 
eighteen  years  of  age.  In  1882  he  went  to  Correctionxille,  Wood- 
bury county,  Iowa,  and  there  took  up  work  as  lx>okkeeper  and  sales- 
man for  a  lumber  company,  with  whom  he  remained  for  nearly  four 
years,  afterward  engaging  as  bookkeeper  and  buver  for  a  grain  firm, 
and  later  with  a  hardware  and  implement  house,  remaining 
with  this  firm  until  he  moved  to  Kingsley.  Iowa,  in  1888.  In  1890 
he  moved  to  Sterling,  Illinois,  being  employed  as  manager  of  a 
transfer  and  clearing  house  for  a  large  grain  concern,  where  he  re- 
mained until  coming  to  Harcourt,  Webster  county,  Iowa,  in  1894, 
engaging  in  llie  grain  and  live-stock  business  on  his  own  account. 
In  tlic  year  1897  he  returned  to  Sterling,  Illinois,  where  he  again 
took  up  his  work  for  tiie  same  firm,  remaining  there  for  five  years 
or  until  1902,  when  he  came  to  (iowrie.  Iowa,  and  became  the  man- 
ager of  the  I'anners  Elevator  Company,  having  been  in  the  service 
of  this  company  continuously  for  ten  years. 

In  1904  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Farmers  Grain  Deal- 
ers Association  of  Iowa,  and  served  as  its  secretary  and  organizer 
for  seven  vears.  A  year  later  he  organized  the  company  which  pub- 
lislicd  tlie  .\nierican  Coo])erative  Journal,  an  organ  devoted  to  the  in- 
terests of  cooperation,  serving  as  the  president  and  editor  of  this 
paper  for  six  years,  after  which  he  relinquished  the  editorial  work  but 
still  serves  as  president  of  the  company. 

Mr.  Messerole  was  united  in  marriage,  November  4,  1885.  at  Cor- 
rectionville,  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Kissinger,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  .\de- 
lia  (Nicholson)  Kissinger,  the  fomier  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and 
the  latter  of  New  York.     TIic  nrnthcr  is  of  Fnglisli  descent  and  the 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  291 

tatlier  of  German  extraction.  The  paternal  grandfather  as  a  young 
man  prepared  for  the  legal  profession  but  never  engaged  in  the  prac- 
tice of  law.  He  later  became  interested  in  music  and  has  de\'oted 
full}'  fifty  years  of  his  life  to  teaching. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Messerole  three  children  have  been  born.  Ger- 
trude A.  is  tlie  w  ife  uf  Arthur  Lind(|uist,  both  being  graduates  of  the 
Go-.\Tie  higli  school.  She  subse(|uently  took  a  course  at  Tobin  Col- 
lege at  Fort  Dodge,  and  he  a  course  at  Augustana  College  at  Rock 
Island,  Illinois.  Mr.  Lindquist  is  employed  with  his  father  and 
brother  in  conducting  the  First  National  Bank  at  Gowrie.  To  Air. 
and  ]\lrs.  Lindquist  one  son  has  been  born,  .\rthur  Lindquist,  Jr. 
Floy  A.  Messerole,  the  second  daughter,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Gowrie 
high  school  and  is  employed  as  her  father's  bookkeeper.  Kenneth 
Messerole  is  the  only  son  and  is  a  student  in  the  Gowrie  high  school. 

Mr.  J^Iesserole  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Gowrie,  the 
Chapter  and  Commandery  at  Ford  Dodge,  and  the  Consistorj'  at  Des 
Moines.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America 
at  Gowrie,  the  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Gowrie,  and  the  Royal  Neigh- 
bors at  Sterling,  Illinois.  He  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  mayor 
of  Gowrie.  has  been  a  member  of  the  town  board  for  two  terms,  and 
is  serving  his  tliird  term  as  meml)er  of  tlie  l)oard  of  education,  of 
which  he  is  president.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising,  successful  busi- 
.  ness  men  of  Gowrie  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  his  friends  and 
associates. 


WWLTER  T.  POST. 


Walter  J.  Post,  who  is  manager  of  the  store  of  Post  &  Company, 
dealers  in  general  merchandise,  and  also  in  hay  and  corn,  at  Lehigh, 
is  a  prominent  resident  of  that  city  and  has  sen'ed  for  eight  years 
consecutively  as  trustee  of  Sumner  township.  He  is  a  son  of  O.  B. 
and  Annie  E.  Post  and  was  born  in  (jrcen  count},  Wisconsin.  He 
lived  with  his  parents  on  a  farm  until  se\enteen  years  of  age,  and 
in  1886  came  with  his  parents  to  Webster  county,  Iowa,  settling  on  a 
farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  which  they  later  sold.  The  store  of  Post 
&  Company  was  then  estahlislieil.  wiiich  is  iwnv  managed  hv  W  .  J. 
Post.  The  fatlicr  passed  a\\a\-  at  tiie  age  of  si.\ly-ii\c  years.  :uui 
was  buried  in  the  Lehigh  cemetery.  He  was  a  faithful  member  of 
the  Christian  cluirch.     His  wife  now  resides  in  this  citv  and  is  tlie 


292  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

owner  of  the  Post  &  Company  store.     She  has  reached  the  age  o"" 
seventy-six  years  and  is  very  active  and  energetic.  ■■'' 

Waher  J.  Post  still  resides  with  his  mother.  He  is  one  of  five  chil- 
dren, the  others  being:  Arthur,  who  resides  in  Oklahoma;  Mrs.  Mary 
Hall,  a  widow,  of  Hampton,  Iowa;  Charles,  of  Lehigh,  Iowa,  who  also 
resides  with  his  mother  and  is  connected  with  the  store;  and  Harr\-, 
the  youngest,  who  is  located  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  and  is  city  pass- 
enger agent  for  the  Great  \\'estern  Railway. 

Walter  J.  Post  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools 
of  Wisconsin  and  later  attended  school  in  Webster  township.  Ever 
since  the  oj^ening  of  the  store  of  Post  &  Company  he  has  been  asso- 
ciated with  the  same  and  has  been  the  general  manager.  In  his  polit- 
ical views  he  is  a  democrat:  but  in  local  party  issues  he  votes  for  the 
man  whom  he  considers  to  be  best  qualified  to  fill  the  office.  He 
has  ever  been  very  acti\e  in  all  local  party  measures  and  is  now  a 
member  of  the  city  council  on  the  independent  ticket,  having  been  a 
member  of  the  council  for  six  years.  He  also  has  been  trustee  of  Sum- 
ner township  for  eight  consecutive  years  on  the  democratic  ticket, 
Mr.  Post  is  greatly  interested  in  reform  and  progress  and  has  been  a 
very  helpful  factor  in  the  general  im])rovement.  Active  and  energetic, 
he  is  an  enterprising  business  man  of  Lehigh,  displaying  those  traits 
of  character  which  in  every  land  and  clime  awaken  respect  and  ad- 
miration. 


A.  F.  DAUGHEXBAUGH. 

A.  F.  Daughenbaugh  is  successfully  engaged  in  the  banking  and 
real-estate  business  in  Gowrie.  He  was  born  in  Dayton,  Webster 
county,  l-"e1)ruar\'  13,  1872,  and  is  a  son  of  A.  R.  and  Henrietta 
(  Richey)  Daughenbaugh.  The  paternal  grandfather,  James  Daughen- 
baugh, was  by  occupation  a  miller.  He  removed  from  Pennsylvania  to 
Illinois  and  settled  in  Freeport,  Stephenson  county,  where  he  con- 
tinued to  live  during  the  remaining  years  of  his  life.  The  maternal 
grandparents  were  Jasper  and  Martha  Richey.  The  grandfather  fol 
lowed  the  occupation  of  milling  for  a  time  and  later,  in  1854,  settled 
in  Dayton  county  and  engaged  in  farming.  The  father,  A.  R.  Daugh- 
enbaugh, came  to  Webster  county  in  1867.  In  the  fall  of  the  follow- 
ing year  he  came  to  Gowrie  and  engaged  in  banking  and  real  estate. 
When  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  was  built  through  this  part  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  293 

s?Tte  he  purchased  some  of  the  right-of-way  for  the  company  and  at 
ti.ac  time  became  interested  in  different  places  along  the  line  of  that 
road  and  later  acquired  interests  in  a  number  of  different  mercantile 
stores  and  also  in  several  elevators.  He  was  affiliated  with  the  re- 
publican party  and  for  twenty-five  years  filled  the  office  of  postmaster 
of  Gowrie.  He  was  mayor  of  the  city,  for  many  years  treasurer  of 
Gowrie  and  a  member  of  the  school  board-  He  held  membership  in 
Rose  Lodge,  No.  509,  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  died  May  29,  igcx).  His  widow 
survixxs  him. 

A.  F.  Daughenbaugh  was  reared  at  home  and  received  his  early 
education  in  the  public  schools  and  later  graduated  from  the  Des 
Moines  high  school.  He  afterward  pursued  a  course  of  instruction  in 
the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Business  College  in  Chicago  and  was  later 
graduated  from  the  Drake  College  of  Law.  He  then  engaged  in  the 
banking  and  real-estate  business  in  Gowrie,  to  which  he  has  since  con- 
tinued to  devote  his  attention. 

In  October,  1903,  Mr.  Daughenbaugh  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Lottie  Spangler,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Emma  (Wingert) 
Spangler.  The  father  came  from  Franklin,  Illinois,  to  Gowrie,  in 
1890,  and  is  one  of  the  prominent  contractors  and  builders  of  that 
place.  Mr.  Daughenbaugh  is  at  present  a  member  of  the  town  council. 
He  is  one  of  the  active,  enterprising  citizens  of  Webster  county  and 
a  man  who  is  well  and  favorably  known  throughout  this  portion  of 
the  state- 


NORMAN  H.  HART. 


Nobility  of  character,  iiigh  principle  and  unfaltering  devotion  to 
duty  in  relation  to  home  and  family,  to  society  and  to  the  country  at 
large,  made  Norman  H.  Hart  a  citizen  whom  to  know  was  to  respect 
and  honor.  There  are  few  who  have  had  as  great  influence  upon  the 
moral  progress  of  Otho  township  and  Webster  county,  his  labors  being 
particularly  effective  in  Sunday-school  work.  His  life  therefore  may 
w  ell  serve  as  an  example  to  all  who  desire  to  travel  the  upward  path, 
holding  at  all  times  to  the  highest  standards  of  Christian  manhood. 

.\lr.  Hart  was  born  in  Glastonbury,  Connecticut,  July  10.  1826, 
and  was  a  youth  of  eight  years  when  in  1834  he  accompanied  his 
parents  on  their  westward  removal  to  Illinois,  where  he  remained 
through  the  ensuing  two  decades.     During  that  period  he  pursued  a 


294  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

four  years'  course  iu  a  mission  institute  near  the  city  of  Ouincy, 
Illinois.  He  came  of  the  best  Xew  England  stock,  w  itli  \ery  pro- 
nounced ideas  of  what  constituted  Christian  manhood,  and  at  that 
early  period  laid  the  foundation  for  what  proved  a  singularly  de- 
voted and  useful  life.  In  1844  he  first  came  to  Iowa  and  for  five 
years  thereafter  spent  his  time  at  Danville.  In  the  fall  of  1853  he 
once  more  came  to  this  state  in  search  of  a  location  for  the  family  and 
after  looking  carefully  over  the  ground  finally  decided  upon  Webster 
county  as  the  future  home  of  the  Harts.  He  then  planted  a  crop  of 
spring  wheat  and  on  horseback  returned  to  Illinois  to  assist  the  others 
of  the  household  in  removing  to  the  new  home.  The  journey  was  made 
in  June,  1854,  with  nine  yoke  of  oxen.  They  settled  in  Otho  town- 
ship and  from  that  time  until  his  death  Norman  H.  Hart  was  con- 
tinuously a  valuable  factor  in  the  political,  social,  business  and  moral 
development  of  the  county.  In  the  early  days  of  his  residence  here 
he  had  to  face  all  the  difficulties,  obstacles  and  hardships  incident  to 
pioneer  life,  but  he  possessed  an  optimistic  nature  in  which  there  was 
no  room  for  i>essimism.  He  always  looked  upon  the  bright  side  and 
when  he  encountered  obstacles  and  difficulties  met  them  with  coura- 
geous and  detennined  spirit,  so  that  they  were  easily  overcome.  His 
work  was  carefully  and  systematically  conducted  and  he  won  a  com- 
fortable competence,  but  the  attainment  of  wealth  was  never  the 
ultimate  aim  of  his  life.  He  desired  to  provide  his  family  with  a  good 
living  and  succeeded  in  this  but  otherwise  gave  his  time  and  attention 
to  the  higher,  holier  duties  wliicli  affect  man  in  liis  relations  to  his 
fellowmen  and  his  Maker.  He  ix)ssessed  a  social  nature  and  enjoyed 
the  companionship  of  friends,  always  contributing  his  share  toward 
making  others  happy.  He  was  genial  and  svmipathetic.  hospitable 
and  kindly,  and  liis  doors  were  ever  open  for  the  reception  of  friend 
and  stranger  alike. 

.  Mr.  Hart  was  often  mentioned  as  an  ideal  husband  and  father. 
He  cultivated  the  graces  and  virtues  of  natural  helpfulness,  good- 
will, harmony,  peace  and  courtesy.  He  was  married  on  the  21st  of 
September,  i860,  to  Jane  Marrilla  Fuller,  who  was  born  in  Cayuga 
county.  New  York,  Septeml)er  11.  1830,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Clark 
and  Deborah  Fuller,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  Empire  state  and 
in  1834  removed  with  their  family  to  Granville,  Ohio.  There  the 
daughter  was  reared  to  womanhood  and  took  up  the  work  of  school 
teaching.  In  1853  she  became  a  resident  of  Alarion,  Iowa,  and  en- 
gaged in  teaching  school  in  that  place  and  in  Eldora  until  1856,  when 
she  came  to  Webster  county.     She  was  a  teacher  in  what  is  now 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  295 

Evanston  and  also  in  Otho  townships  and  throughout  her  Hfe  was 
deeply  interested  in  the  intellectual  progress  of  the  community.  Unto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hart  were  born  four  children  but  tliree  died  in  infancy, 
the  surviving  daughter  being  Mrs.  Theta  Wonders,  the  wife  of  Thomas 
A\'.  Wonders,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  The  Hart  house- 
hold was  a  Christian  home.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hart  early  in  life 
identified  themselves  with  the  work  of  Christianity,  and  good-wiU  and 
love  radiated  from  their  home,  which  was  never  "just  four  square 
walls."  Its  hospitality  was  proverbial  and  a  Christlike  sj^irit  was  ever 
there  found.  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Hart  were  ever  deeply  and  actively  inter- 
ested m  the  church  work  and  each  attended  church  services  on  the  Sun- 
day prior  to  their  demise.  Mr.  Hart  passed  awa}-  XoNember  22.  190S. 
It  was  written  df  him:  "L'ncle  Xt)rnian  Hart,  by  which  endearing 
term  lie  was  known  by  young  and  old,  was  no  ordinary  character  either 
in  intellectual  power  or  religious  principles  and  attainments.  To  a 
naturally  vigorous  and  well  cultivated  mind  he  united  sterling  in- 
tegrity of  principle,  sincere  and  elevated  piety,  deep  humility,  ardent 
zeal  for  the  divine  glory,  sincere  love  for  his  brethren  and  strong  at- 
tachment to  the  church.  His  real  Christian  work  began  as  teacher  in 
Sunday  school,  in  which  field  he  continued  a  faithful  and  inspiring 
worker  for  sixty-two  years.  In  addition  to  his  work  as  teacher  he 
was  a  successful  organizer,  and  Webster  county  owes  to  the  memory 
of  this  man  of  God  a  deep  debt  of  gratitude  for  the  moral  tone  and 
spiritual  life  bequeathed  by  him  through  the  medium  of  his  Sunday- 
school  work.  For  fourteen  years  he  was  one  of  a  quartette  of  Sun- 
day school  workers  who  traveled  the  length  and  breadth  of  \Vebster 
county,  organizing  and  reorganizing  Sunday  schools  and  holding 
Sunday-school  conventions  each  year  in  every  township.  The  other 
three  members  of  the  band  were  F.  B.  Drake,  C.  H.  Payne  and  H.  R. 
Bradshaw.  This  work  ]5roved  a  constant  impetus  to  the  Sunday 
schools  of  the  county  and  out  of  it  grew  several  churches.  He  was  a 
firm  believer  in  the  power  of  Christian  song  and  in  all  his  church  and 
Sunday-school  work  he  laid  much  stress  upon  this  as  an  important 
factor.  He  believed  that  men  were  called  to  sing  the  gospel  as  well 
as  to  preach  it.  He  was  an  instructor  in  vQcal  music  and  organized 
many  singing  classes  out  of  which  went  many  to  sing  the  gospel. 
Politically  he  was  a  lifelong  republican,  intensely  patriotic  and  loval. 
He  firmly  believed  that  the  republic  is  a  child  of  Providence  and  ever 
recognized  the  hand  of  God  in  the  guidance  of  its  affairs  and  the 
building  of  its  institutions.  He  deplored  existing  evils  that  stand  in 
the  way  of  the  nation's  greatest  progress  and  glory,  but  he  died  witii 


296  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

a  firm  faith  in  the  God  of  nations  and  in  the  future  of  his  country. 
From  what  has  already  been  said  it  scarcely  needs  emphasizing  that 
his  faith  in  the  great  doctrines  of  Christianity  was  complete  and 
unbounded.  To  him  the  Bible  was  an  inspired  book,  written  by  'holy 
men  of  old  as  they  were  mo\ed  Ijy  the  Holy  Ghost.'  He  had  no 
patience  with  theological  trimmers.  The  word  was  the  plummet,  the 
ultimate  standard  by  which  he  squared  his  life,  and  in  the  end  of  his 
days,  when  the  body  had  grown  weary,  he  was  able  to  say:  T  have  a 
pillow  on  which  to  rest  my  head,'  and  upon  that  pillow — even  Jesus — 
he  breathed  his  life  out  sweetly  there.  His  Christian  motto  was — 
Onward  and  Upward ;  but  he  had  a  working  motto  in  addition  to 
this,  which  was  his  guide  in  the  everyday  affairs  of  life  as  he  went 
in  and  out  before  his  fellowmen,  'Do  good  and  lend,  hoping  for 
nothing  again.'  The  universal  testimony  of  those  who  knew  him  best 
tells  how  closely  he  lived  to  this  standard." 

Mrs.  Hart  survived  her  husband  for  little  more  than  a  year  and 
passed  away  on  the  31st  of  December,  1909.  The  Rev.  Francis  Fawkes 
wrote  of  her:  "A  Godly  woman  in  the  prime  of  life,  charged  with 
vital  energy,  full  of  faith  and  virtue,  reverent  toward  God,  trustful  in 
the  Savior  of  men,  and  with  a  lofty  ambition  for  ministering  to  human 
welfare — such  a  woman  is  the  mightiest  agent  for  righteousness  the 
Almighty  hath  made  on  the  earth.  There  are  many  such  in  the  world 
and  such  was  Mrs.  Jane  Hart  when  she  first  set  foot  on  the  soil  of 
Webster  county.  The  value  of  such  a  life  to  the  moral  and  religious 
progress  of  society  is  far  above  that  of  gold  and  measured  by  any 
material  standards  of  value,  for  when  gold  and  gems  lia\  e  been  molten 
and  lost  in  the  ashes  of  a  burned  world  the  fruit  of  such  a  life  will 
aJjide  and  go  on  to  grow  and  ripen  forever  and  forever.  Outside  of  the 
domestic  circle  where  Mrs.  Hart  reigned  as  ((ueen.  her  greatest  work 
for  humanity  was  the  instruction  of  the  primary  class  of  the  Sunday 
school  in  the  teachings  of  the  Bible.  Her  class  usually  numbered  from 
fifteen  to  forty  pupils,  so  in  the  course  of  a  half  century  quite  an  army 
of  these  little  people  passed  under  her  supervision  and  teaching.  They 
were  thus  in  the  most  impressionable  period  of  life  brought  under  the 
influence  and  in  close  contact  with  a  Christian  and  motherlx-  woman, 
who  took  great  interest  in  them  long  after  the  days  of  childhood.  Of 
the  number  who  passed  through  this  primary  class,  many  remembered 
the  precepts  of  their  teacher  when  they  reached  years  of  maturity  and 
reduced  these  precepts  to  service  in  a  Christian  life,  and  after  marriage 
sent  another  generation  of  children  to  the  same  teacher.  Mrs.  Hart 
was  one  of  the  founders  and  organizers  of  the  Otho  Church  Aid 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COl'XTY  297 

Society,  a  body  of  Christian  women  that  for  more  than  a  generation 
liave  been  famous  for  their  charitable  good  works.  In  ahnost  every 
department  of  church  work  in  which  a  lady  could  act,  her  long  life 
has  been  one  of  incessant  willing  activity  until  sickness  and  weakness 
arrested  her  efforts.  The  world's  great  need  is  that  such  lives  should 
be  multiplied." 

The  memory  of  two  such  noble  lives  cannot  but  inspire  and 
encourage  all  who  came  within  the  radius  of  their  influence.  Viewing 
such  a  life  record  as  theirs,  one  cannot  but  be  impressed  with  the  fact 
that  it  is  not  from  the  few  conspicuous  deeds  of  life  that  the  blessings 
chiefly  come  which  make  the  world  better,  sweeter,  happier,  but  from 
the  countless  lowly  ministries  of  the  everydays,  the  little  faithfulnesses 
that  fill  long  years. 


TAMES  ^\^  RYAN. 


James  W.  Ryan,  whose  service  as  steward  of  the  poor  farm  has 
won  him  recognition  not  only  as  a  capable  agriculturist  but  as  a 
business  man  of  keen  judgment  and  more  than  average  executive 
ability,  is  a  son  of  one  of  Webster  county's  pioneers.  Although 
born  in  the  state  of  New  York,  his  natal  day  being  the  30th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1863,  he  is  of  Irish  extraction,  his  parents,  Thomas  and  Cather- 
ine (Dugan)  Ryan,  being  natives  of  the  Emerald  isle.  The  father 
came  to  .\merica  in  his  early  manhood,  locating  in  the  state  of  New 
York,  where  he  obtained  employment  on  a  railroad.  After  about 
fifteen  years  residence  there  he  remo\'ed  with  his  family  to  Iowa, 
locating  in  Webster  county  in  1868.  He  invested  his  small  capital 
in  a  tract  of  land  in  Badger  township,  which  he  diligently  cultivated 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  on  his  farm  in  October, 
1872.  He  was  long  survived  by  the  mother,  who  passed  away  in 
April,  1905. 

James  \\'.  Ryan  was  a  child  of  nuly  fi\c  years  when  he  accuni- 
jianied  his  parents  on  their  renioxal  lo  Iowa,  and  a  lad  of  nine  when 
his  father  died.  In  common  with  the  other  children  of  the  comnni- 
nity  he  began  his  education  in  the  district  school,  but  completed  his 
course  of  study  in  the  Shenandoah  College  at  .Shenandoah,  this  slate. 
After  leaving  college  he  taught  schodi  lOr  one  Urni  in  Badger  town- 
ship, and  then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  and  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  agricultural  pursuits.     Having  been  reared  on  a  farm  he  was 


298  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

thoroughly  familiar  with  the  practical  methods  of  agriculture  and 
met  with  a  fair  measure  of  success  in  the  cultivation  of  his  place.  He 
was  unusually  diligent  and  enterprising,  and  ambitious  to  rapidly 
forge  ahead.  In  connection  with  his  farming  he  also  was  manager 
of  the  Humboldt  Creamery  Company  for  seven  years.  Although 
the  average  man  would  consider  either  occupation  sufificient  to  en- 
gage his  entire  attention.  Mr.  Ryan  success full_\-  managed  both  and 
was  never  absent  from  the  factory  for  a  day  during  the  period  of  his 
connection  with  it.  He  subsequently  sold  his  farm,  investing  the 
proceeds  in  a  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  located  in  the  same 
township.  There  he  continued  his  agricultural  pursuits  for  two 
years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  sold  his  jilace  and  became 
identified  with  the  commercial  activities  of  Fort  Dodge.  During  the 
succeeding  seventeen  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  implement  and 
hardware  business  in  the  latter  city  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Ryan 
Implement  &  Hardware  Company.  Feeling  that  he  would  like  to 
withdraw  from  the  confinement  and  exactions  of  commercial  life  he 
dis]3osed  of  his  store  several  years  ago  and  subsequently  accepted  the 
appointment  to  the  office  of  steward  of  the  poor  farm.  Mr.  Ryan 
is  exceptionally  well  adapted  for  the  responsibilities  of  this  position, 
as  he  has  practically  evidenced  during  the  period  of  his  .service.  He 
is  a  man  of  systematic  business  methods,  keen  discernment  and  sound 
judgment  in  addition  to  which  he  possesses  executive  ability  of  more 
than  average  standard.  All  of  these  have  been  exercised  w  ith  most 
gratifying  results  since  he  entered  ujxju  tiie  duties  of  his  present 
office,  and  substantially  manifest  his  fitness  for  the  work.  When 
he  took  possession  of  the  farm  the  receipts  were  only  three  hundred 
and  sixty-nine  dollars  per  year,  while  under  his  supcr\ision  there  has 
been  a  marked  annual  increase  until  in  191 1  his  books  recorded  re- 
ceipts to  the  amount  of  two  thousand,  one  hundred  and  sixty-five 
dollars,  and  191 2  bids  fair  to  reach  three  thousand.  The  expenses  in 
connection  with  operations  have  shown  a  corresponding  decrease,  thus 
further  enlarging  the  amount  he  has  annually  sa\ed  the  county. 

In  October,  1893,  Mr.  Ryan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  X'ellie 
J.  O'Brien,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Catherine  (O'Connor)  O'Brien, 
the  father  a  native  of  Wisconsin  and  the  mother  of  Ireland.  Mr. 
O'Brien,  who  was  a  railroad  contractor,  came  to  Webster  county 
during  the  pioneer  period,  locating  in  Fort  Dodge,  where  he  pur- 
sued his  business  until  his  death,  which  was  caused  by  a  d3'namite 
explosion  in  November.  1887.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  con- 
tinues to  reside  in  Fort  Dodge.     Mr.  and  Mrs.   Ryan  have  become 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUiNTY  299 

the  parents  of  six  children,  as  follows:  Joseph,  who  has  just  grad- 
uated from  St,  Joseph's  College  at  Dubuque;  James,  who  is  attend- 
ing high  school  at  Fort  Dodge;  j\Iarie,  who  is  a  student  in  Sacred 
Heart  Academy  at  Fort  Dodge ;  Leo,  who  goes  to  the  district  school ; 
Catherine ;  and  Robert. 

The  parents  and  elder  members  of  the  family  are  communicants 
of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  and  fraternally  Mr.  Ryan  is  identi- 
fied with  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen,  Knights  of  Colum- 
bus and  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  being  a  charter  member  of 
the  latter  organization.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  demo- 
cratic party  and.  while  residing  in  Badger  township,  served  as  clerk 
of  the  township.  Sound  principles,  upright  standards  of  citizenship 
and  general  reliability  in  business  transactions  have  united  in  win- 
ning 'Sir.  Ryan  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  neighbors  and  fellow 
townsmen,  who  hold  him  in  high  regard  and  accord  him  their  stanch 
friendship. 


EDAIOXD  DAVID  RL'SSELL,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Edmond  D.  Russell,  now  a  practicing  physician  in  Fort  Dodge, 
Iowa,  is  a  keen  student  of  the  great  scientific  principles  which  under- 
lie the  practice  of  medicine  and  his  ability  has  gained  him  a  prominent 
place  in  the  medical  fraternity.  He  was  born  in  County  Limerick, 
Ireland,  in  1869,  and  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  Christian 
Brothers  schools  of  that  country.  His  family  later  remo\-ed  to  Dub- 
lin, the  capital  of  Ireland,  where  he  was  graduated  in  classics  and 
mathematics  in  the  high  school  of  that  city.  He  spent  two  years  at 
the  Jesuits  College  at  Clongowswood,  County  Kildare,  and  was  a 
schoolmate  of  Frank  Mahoney,  the  famous  literateur  and  author, 
whose  fame  has  been  immortalized  liy  his  "Bells  of  Shandon."  Not 
satisfied  with  this  splendid  education  Dr.  Russell  determined  to  pur- 
sue his  studies  further  and  with  this  intention  entered  the  L^^niversity 
of  Dublin,  from  which  he  was  graduated  after  completing  the  pre- 
scribed course  of  study.  He  came  to  .America,  and  having  determined 
to  make  the  i)raclice  of  medicine  his  life  \\i)rk  entered  the  medical 
department  of  the  Iowa  .State  I'niversity.  The  quality  of  the  work 
which  he  did  in  this  capacity  soon  gave  him  the  recognition  of  the 
faculty  and  made  him  popular  with  his  classmates,  Wlicn  he  had 
completed  his  course  he  was  appointed  instructor  in  the  university 


300  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

under  Dr.  Chase,  his  duties  to  consist  of  tutoring  deficient  students 
in  the  matriculation  requirements.  He  held  this  position  for  some 
time.  When  he  left  the  university  he  settled  in  Clare.  Webster  county, 
and  immediately  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Rapid 
and  enviable  success  attended  his  efforts  and  he  was  soon  known  as 
one  of  the  able  and  efficient  physicians  of  his  adopted  city.  He  has 
always  been  a  firm  believer  in  the  value  of  a  thorough  vocational 
ecjuipment.  When  he  came  to  America  he  had  already  attained  a 
degree  of  education  far  beyond  the  common  order,  but  after  some 
years  of  medical  practice  in  Clare,  Iowa,  he  removed  to  Chicago  in 
order  to  further  perfect  himself  in  medicine  and  surgery.  He  took 
post-graduate  courses,  two  at  the  Chicago  Clinical  School  and  two  at 
the  Chicago  Post  Graduate  School,  and  when  he  at  length  definitely 
completed  his  studies  he  was  equipped  with  a  splendid  education  along 
specialized  lines.  This  has  been  of  great  value  to  him  in  his  life  and 
has  been  the  means  of  his  gaining  his  present  high  place  among  his 
his  medical  brethren. 

Dr.  Russell  maintained  his  residence  in  Clare  and  was  active  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  that  city  until  1910  when  he  removed 
to  h'ort  Dodge  and  has  since  been  prominent  in  this  city.  Dr.  Rus- 
sell has,  besides  his  medical  career,  one  other  vital  and  important  m- 
terest  in  life.  He  is  an  ambitious  and  distinguished  journalist  and 
his  writings  have  obtained  for  him  a  reputation  for  clear,  concise  and 
striking  literary  style.  His  family  has  always  been  interested  finan- 
cially with  the  Sullivans  in  the  operation  of  the  Dublin  Nation,  one 
of  the  largest  newspapers  in  Ireland.  He  has  kept  up  his  contribu- 
tions to  these  journals  and  is  well  known  in  Webster  county  as  a 
graphic  and  telling  writer.  He  has  now  in  the  press  a  book  of  his 
essays  contributed  at  various  times  in  .America  and  in  Ireland.  He 
founded  and  edited  for  two  years  a  newspaper  in  Clare  called  the 
Clare  Examiner.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  the  local  press 
for  several  vears  and  only  relin(|uished  his  connection  with  it  when 
he  was  comi)elled  to  do  so  by  the  pressing  duties  in  connection  with 
his  profession.  For  fourteen  years  he  was  a  contributor  to  the  Mes- 
senger of  Fort  Dodge  and  within  the  past  years  has  devoted  his  time 
exclusively  to  contributions  to  the  medical  press  and  to  his  profes- 
sional work. 

During  the  course  of  his  career  Dr.  Russell  has  acquired  a  com- 
fortable fortune  which  he  has  invested  judiciously.  He  owns  a  farm 
in  Clare  and  a  licautiful  and  commodious  home  at  1326  Second  ave- 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  301 

nue,  South,  Fort  Dodge.  He  is  interested  in  tlie  business  develop- 
ment of  Clare,  Iowa,  and  owns  a  line  business  block  in  tliat  city. 

Politically  he  is  a  republican  and  takes  an  intelligent  interest  in 
national  and  local  affairs  but  is  prevented  from  holding  public  office 
by  the  arduous  duties  of  his  literary  and  professional  work.  He  is 
a  member  of  the  Catholic  Order  of  Foresters,  the  Ancient  Order  of 
Hibernians  and  the  Knights  of  Columbus.  He  also  is  prominent  in 
the  Onlcr  of  Eagles  and  in  the  Benevolent  Protective  Order  of  Elks. 
He  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  Roman  Catholic  church  and  is  an  active 
worker  in  religious  circles. 

He  married  in  1899  Miss  Johannah  Wall,  a  daughter  of  Pierce 
and  Johannah  S.  Wall,  both  natives  of  Ireland.  To  their  union  were 
born  si.x  children.  Dr.  Russell  is  a  thorough  and  interested  student 
of  medicine  and  of  broad  culture  along  literary  lines.  He  adds  to 
his  ability  as  a  physician  and  to  his  remarkable  and  specialized  knowl- 
edge in  this  line  the  distinction  of  being  a  courteous  and  refined  gen- 
tleman and  a  man  who  in  every  relation  of  life  is  without  fear  and 
without  reproach. 


THOMAS  \V.  W^ONDERS. 

Thomas  W.  Wonders  is  busily  engaged  in  the  operation  of  an  ex- 
cellent farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section  20,  Otho 
township.  His  birth  occurred  in  Kewanee,  Illinois,  on  the  5th  of 
September,  i860,  his  parents  being  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Bennett) 
Wonders,  more  extended  mention  of  whom  is  made  on  another  page 
of  this  work  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  John  W.  Wonders,  a 
brother  of  our  subject. 

Thomas  W.  Wonders  acquired  his  education  largely  in  Boone 
county,  Iowa,  being  four  years  of  age  when  the  family  home  was 
there  established.  He  went  into  the  coal  mines  when  a  youth  of 
twelve  and  was  thus  employed  until  twenty-five  years  of  age.  About 
1885  he  came  to  Webster  county  and  embarked  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness in  association  with  his  brother  at  Kalo,  while  later  the  brothers 
opened  a  store  at  Otho,  continuing  to  operate  the  same  until  1901. 
For  some  time  afterward  Mr.  Wonders  was  not  identified  with  any 
business  pursuit  and  traveled  to  some  extent.  Subsequently,  in  asso- 
ciation with  others,  he  became  engaged  in  the  brick  and  tile  business 
at  Kalo,  remaining  an  active  factor  in  its  conduct  for  about  li\e  vears 


302  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

and  still  retaining  an  interest  in  the  concern,  which  is  known  as  the 
Central  Brick  &  Tile  Company.  He  next  operated  a  rented  farm  for 
two  years,  \i:as  then  married  and  has  since  devoted  his  attention  to  the 
cultivation  of  his  wife's  property,  which  comprises  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  on  section  20,  Otho  town- 
ship. In  the  work  of  the  fields  he  has  employed  modern  methods  of 
agriculture  and  success  has  attended  his  undertakings. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  191 1,  Mr.  Wonders  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  I\Irs.  Theta  (Hart)  Findlay,  the  widow  of  George  Findla}'^ 
and  a  daughter  of  Xorman  and  Jane  (Fuller)  Hart,  a  sketch  of  whom 
appears  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  Theta  Hart,  who  was  bom 
on  the  home  farm  on  the  27th  of  October,  1863,  gave  her  hand  in 
marriage  to  George  Findlay,  a  farmer  of  Otho  township,  who  died 
on  the  17th  of  January,  1908.  They  adopted  two  children  :  Ra}anond, 
who  is  twenty-two- years  of  age  and  follows  farming  in  Otho  town- 
ship; and  Berdena,  who  is  fourteen  years  old  and  lives  at  home. 

At  the  polls  Mr.  Wonders  supports  the  prohibition  ticket,  for  it 
is  his  opinion  that  the  licpior  traffic  is  an  e\il  which  should  be  eradi- 
cated. In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Methodist,  while  his  wife  belongs 
to  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wonders  are  people  of 
highest  worth  and  respectability,  and  their  pleasant  home  finds  favor 
with  their  numerous  friends. 


CHARLES  H.  WOOD.\RD. 

Charles  H.  Woodard  is  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  in 
Gowrie,  Iowa.  He  was  born  in  Vermont,  in  1868,  and  is  a  son  of 
Jane  Woodard,  who  now  resides  at  What  Cheer,  Iowa.  At  the  early 
age  of  five  years  he  came  to  Redfield,  Dallas  county,  Iowa,  and  took 
up  iii^^  abode  with  John  Payton.  who  was  a  farmer.  He  continued 
to  live  with  Mr.  Payton  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  during 
wliich  time  he  received  his  elementary  education  in  the  public  schools 
and  later  pursued  a  course  of  instruction  in  the  Dexter  Business  Col- 
lege. He  afterward  was  engaged  for  one  year  in  teaching  in 
that  institution.  He  later  took  up  work  in  a  general  store  at  Ken- 
nedy. Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  after  which 
time  he  was  employed  as  a  traveling  salesman  for  a  Chicago  grain 
comjjany  and  continued  in  that  business  for  two  months.  In  the  fall 
of  1890  he  established  his  residence  in  Gowrie.  where  he  engaged  in 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  303 

buying  grain  for  Councilman  &  Company  of  Chicago.  He  later  re- 
ceived from  President  Cleveland  the  appointment  of  postmaster  of 
Gowrie  and  in  that  office  continued  for  four  years.  He  then  had 
charge  of  the  elevators  and  was  station  agent  at  Lena  until  i8g6, 
after  which  time  he  established  himself  in  the  real-estate  business 
under  the  firm  name  of  the  Woodard  Land  Company  and  has  since 
continued  to  devote  his  attention  to  that  business,  in  which  he  has 
been  successful,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  two  thousand  acres  of  land. 
Mr.  W'oodard  is  affiliated  with  the  democratic  party  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Gowrie  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias.  He  has  served  as  councilman  for  four  years  and  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  mayor,  in  which  he  served  for  two  years.  He 
is  at  present  justice  of  the  peace  and  is  a  member  of  the  park  com- 
mission. Mr.  Woodard  is  one  of  the  well  known  aind  enterprising 
citizens  of  W^ebster  county  and  a  man  who  is  held  in  high  esteem  by 
all  his  friends  and  associates. 


WILLIAM    SCHNURR. 


William  Schnurr  and  his  brother,  George,  proprietors  of  the  Kalo 
Brick  &  Tile  Company,  have  one  of  the  largest  plants  of  its  kind 
in  the  state.  The  former  has  been  a  resident  of  Webster  county  for 
almost  one-third  of  a  century  and  is  prominent  in  business  circles 
here.  His  birth  occurred  in  Buffalo,  Scott  county,  Iowa,  on  the  23d 
of  October,  1870,  his  parents  being  Andrew  and  Amelia  (Haase) 
Schnurr,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of  Ohio. 
Andrew  Schnurr  crossed  the  .\tlantic  to  the  United  States  when  a 
youth  of  thirteen,  locating  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he  worked  as 
a  farm  hand  to  the  time  of  his  marriage.  wSubsequently  he  removed 
to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  and  was  engaged  in  steamboating  on  the 
Mississippi  for  some  time.  Later  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  at  liuffalo, 
Scott  county,  w  here  he  was  eni|)loyed  as  weighmaster  by  a  coal  com- 
pany for  several  years.  Removing  to  Chickasaw  county,  he  purchased 
a  farm  of  eighty  acres  and  devoted  his  attention  to  its  0])eration  for 
four  years.  On  the  expiralinn  nf  lh;it  period  be  took  up  his  abode 
in  Otho  township,  Webster  county,  this  state,  being  here  employed  as 
weighmaster  for  the  Craig  Coal  Company  until  1893.  In  that  year 
he  embarked  in  the  lumber  and  grain  business  at  Otho,  successfully 
conducting  an  enter])rise  in  thai  line  until  njO-',  when  he  sold  out  to 
his   son-in-law,    I.    W  .    Wnudcrs.    and    retired    frnm    active    business. 


304  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

He  has  attained  the  age  of  seventy-two  years  and  resides  at  L'pland, 
California.  His  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  29th  of 
Novemher,  1902. 

William  Schnurr  attended  school  in  Chickasaw  county,  Iowa,  for 
three  years,  and  then  continued  his  studies  in  Webster  county,  being 
ten  years  of  age  when  I)rougl:t  here  by  his  parents.  When  a  youth  of 
fifteen  he  entered  the  employ  of  the  Craig  Coal  Company  at  Otho, 
remaining  with  that  concern  until  1897.  In  that  year,  with  his 
brother  George,  he  i)urchased  the  brick  and  tile  plant  of  Johnson 
Brothers  near  Kalo  and  they  have  operated  the  same  continuously 
since,  under  the  firm  name  of  the  Kalo  Brick  &  Tile  Company. 
Their  daily  out]nit  is  aliout  eight  car  loads,  and  the  enterprise  is 
continually  growing  under  the  able  management  and  direction  of  its 
])roprietors.  William  Schnurr  is  a  stockholder  and  director  in  the 
following  concerns:  the  Otho  Mercantile  Company,  the  Leighton 
Supply  Company  of  Fort  Dodge,  the  Fort  Dodge  National  Bank  and 
the  Monarch  Telephone  Manufacturing  Company  of  Fort  Dodge.  He 
has  a  handsome  residence  in  Otho  and  also  owns  three  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  of  valuable  farm  land  in  Otho  township  in  association 
with  his  brother  George. 

On  the  20th  of  June.  1895.  Mr.  Schnurr  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Elizabeth  Dawson,  a  daughter  of  Jerry  and  Mary  J.  (Wonders) 
Dawson,  tlie  funuer  a  native  of  P^ngland  and  the  latter  of  Illinois. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  .Solunirr  lia\e  three  children,  as  follows:  Mary  A., 
who  is  eie\en  years  old;  and  .Vndrew  D.  and  Lee.  who  arc  nine  and 
se\en  years  of  age,  respectively. 

William  Schnurr  is  a  stanch  re])ublican  and  in  religious  faith  a 
Methodist.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  local  organization 
of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  His  upright  and  honorable 
methods  commend  him  to  the  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  comes 
in  contact,  either  in  business  or  .social  relations,  and  no  man  in 
the  community  is  held  in  higher  esteem  than  is  Mr.  Schnurr. 


THOMAS  DOXAHOE. 


Among  those  who  have  been  prominently  connected  with  the  prog- 
ress and  development  of  Clare  must  be  mentioned  Thomas  Donahoe, 
president  of  the  State  Bank,  who  has  also  been  actively  identified  with 
local  ])olitics  and  has  l)cen  tlic  incumbent  of. the  oftice  of  treasurer  ever 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  305 

since  the  town  was  incorporated.    A  native  of  Pennsylvania,  his  birth 
occurred  in  the  town  of  Hazelton,  on  the  25th  of  June,  1847,  his  parents 
being  James  and  Ann  (Garahan)  Donahoe,  natives  of  Ireland.     Of 
their  marriage  were  born  eiglit  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the 
eldest.     The  other  members  of  the  family  are  as  follows:     Peter  M., 
who  passed  away  in  1910;  Charles,  whose  death  occurred  in  1859; 
Ellen,  who  died  in  1854;  Mary,  who  died  in  i860;  Rose  Ann,  the  first 
white  child  born   in   Pocahontas   county;   Mary  J.;  and   Charles  J. 
mayor  of  Clare,  where  he  is  also  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business. 
The   father  emigrated  to  the  United  States   from  Ireland  in    1839, 
being  at  that  time  twenty-four  years  of  age.     For  a  short  period  he 
made  his  home  in  the  state  of  New  York,  1jut  he  suljsequently  went  to 
Pennsylvania.     He  was  a  miner  and  for  sixteen  years  was  employed 
in  the  coal  fields  of  the  latter  .state.    In  the  .spring  of  1855,  he  removed 
witli  his  family  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  where  he  prospected  for  a  year. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  continued  his  journey  westward  to 
Webster  county,  and   for  four  years  worked  in  the  mines  of  L'ort 
Dodge,  during  which  time  the  family  resided  in  Pocahontas  county, 
where  he  had  preempted  a  quarter  section  of  land,  and  he  subsequently 
turned  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits.     For  seven  years  he  ap- 
plied himself  diligently  to  the  cultivation  of  his  farm,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Webster  county.     He  here  continued  farming  in  Johnson 
township,  where  he  bought  a  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land-     The 
dexelopment  of  this  latter  property  engaged  his  undivided  attention 
until  1887,  when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Clare,  where  his  death 
occurred  in  April,  1899.    The  mother  passed  away  in  September,  1895. 
Thomas  Donahoe  was  eight  years  of  age  when  his  parents  left 
Pennsyhania  and  nine  when  they  located  in  Webster  county.     His 
education  was  begun  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  state  and  con- 
tinued in  those  of  Iowa,  following  wliicii  he  assisted  in  llie  cultiva- 
tion of  the  home  farm.    He  remained  with  his  parents  until  1895,  and 
in  August  of  that  year  he  removed  to  Clare  and  assumed  tlie  duties 
of  cashier  of  the  State  Bank.     He  retained  this  position  until   191 1, 
w  hen  he  was  promoted  to  the  office  of  president,  which  he  still  retains. 
The  bank  was  organized  in  May,   1889,  and  during  the  intervening 
years  it  has  developed  into  one  of  the  strong  financial  institutions  of 
the  county.     Mr.  Donahoe  has  acquired  extensive  realty  interests  in 
tills  section,  owning  farms  in  both  Jack.son  and  Jolinson  townships, 
and  also  property  in  Clare.     He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  cement  plant 
at  Gilmore  and  is  interested  in  various  other  local  industries,  I^eing 
one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Webster  countv. 


306  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

Mr.  Donahoe  is  a  communicant  of  the  Roman  Catliolic  church. 
PoHticaH}^  he  is  a  democrat  and  served  as  clerk  of  Johnson  township 
for  sixteen  years  and  he  has  also  lield  the  office  of  trustee,  while  during 
the  period  of  his  residence  in  Johnson  township  he  discharged  the 
duties  of  assessor.  He  has  always  been  interested  in  the  development 
of  the  community  and  has  supported  all  movements  calculated  to  ad- 
vance the  welfare  of  its  citizens.  The  practical  ideas  and  progressive 
methods  of  Mr.  Donahoe,  as  manifested  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties 
in  both  public  and  private  life,  no  less  than  his  sterling  qualities  of 
character  have  won  him  the  esteem  and  high  regard  of  many  of  his 
fellow  townsmen. 


FRANK  A.  SCHNURR, 


Frank  A,  Schnurr,  an  enteqarising  and  successful  agriculturist 
residing  in  Otho  township,  ojierates  a  well  improved  fann  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  7,  which  he  owns  in  association 
with  his  brother  William.  His  birth  occurred  in  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
on  the  6th  of  November,  1864,  his  parents  being  Andrew  and  Amelia 
(Haase)  Schnurr,  the  former  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  latter  of 
Ohio.  .Andrew  Schnurr  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States 
when  a  youth  of  thirteen,  locating  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  where  he 
worked  as  a  farm  hand  until  the  time  of  his  marriage.  Following 
tliat  important  e\'ent  in  his  life  he  reniuxed  U>  Memphis,  Tennessee, 
being  engaged  in  steamboating  on  the  Mississippi  for  some  time.  Sub- 
sequently he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  at  Buffalo,  Scott  county,  where 
he  was  employed  as  weighmaster  by  a  coal  company  for  several  years. 
Removing  to  Chickasaw  county,  he  purchased  a  farm  of  eight)-  acres 
and  devoted  his  attention  to  its  operation  for  four  years.  On  the  ex- 
piration of  that  period  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Otho  township.  Web- 
ster county,  this  state,  being  here  employed  as  weighmaster  for  the 
Craig  Coal  Company  until  1893.  In  that  year  he  emljarked  in  the 
lumber  and  grain  business  at  Otho,  successfully  conducting  an  en- 
teqirise  of  that  character  until  1902,  when  he  sold  out  to  his  son-in- 
law,  J.  W.  Wonders,  and  retired  from  active  business  cares.  He  has 
now-  attained  the  age  of  seventy-two  years  and  resides  at  Upland, 
California.  His  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  29th  of 
November.  1902. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  307 

Frank  A.  Schnurr,  who  was  two  years  of  age  when  Ijrouglit  to 
this  state  by  his  parents,  obtained  his  early  education  in  Buffalo,  Scott 
county,  and  later  continued  his  studies  in  Chickasaw  county.  After 
putting  aside  his  text-books  he  worked  for  his  father,  remaining  un- 
der the  parental  roof  until  twenty-three  years  of  age.  For  about 
twenty  years  thereafter  he  was  engaged  in  coal  mining  and  then  rented 
a  tract  of  land,  which  he  cultivated  for  four  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
time,  in  association  with  his  brother,  William,  he  purchased  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  7,  Otho  township,  impro\ed 
the  property  and  has  since  been  busily  engaged  in  its  operation.  His 
undertakings  as  an  agriculturist  have  been  attended  with  success,  the 
well  tilled  fields  annually  yielding  golden  harvests  in  return  for  the 
care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  them.  He  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  Fanners  Elevator  Company  of  Otho  and  is  widely  recognized 
as  a  substantial  and  representative  citizen  of  his  community. 

In  November,  1886,  Mr.  Schnurr  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Kate  Trvin,  a  daughter  of  Walter  and  Helen  (Grant)  Irvin,  who  were 
born  in  Ireland  and  Scotland  respectively.  Our  subject  and  his  wife 
have  seven  children,  as  follows:  Millie,  who  gave  her  hand  in  mar- 
riage to  Otto  Bargreen  and  resides  at  Fort  Dodge,  Iowa;  Maude; 
Blanche ;  Jennie ;  William ;  Robert ;  and  Edna. 

Mr.  Schnurr  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party 
and  is  one  of  the  present  trustees  of  Otho  township.  He  has  also 
served  as  school  director,  the  cause  of  education  ever  finding  in  him 
a  stanch  champion.  His  religious  faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist 
church,  while  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America.  Earnest  effort  and  intelligently  directed  labor  have 
ever  constituted  the  salient  features  of  his  business  career,  while  his 
life  has  been  governed  by  high  principles  that  have  gained  for  him  the 
respect  and  good-will  of  his  fellowmen. 


FRAXK  n.   I-RAHM. 


Frank  H.  Frahm,  filling  the  office  of  county  supervisor  is  found 
to  be  a  faithful  and  efficient  incumbent  in  that  position.  More- 
over, he  has  long  been  well  known  as  a  representative  farmer  of 
the  county.  He  was  born  in  Coojier  township,  \Vebstcr  county, 
Iowa,  Novcmhcr  16,  1871,  a  son  of  (i)acliim  and  Lauretta  (Ebert) 
Frahm,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany.  The  father 
came  to  America  when  he  was  but  sixteen  years  of  age.     When 


308  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

the  Civil  war  broke  out. he  enlisted  for  service  in  Company  I, 
Thirty-second  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry  and  served  throughout 
the  war.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  settled  in  Chicago, 
but  before  the  beginning  of  the  war  removed  to  Fort  Dodge. 
After  he  was  mustered  out  of  service  he  returned  to  this  city  and 
purchased  a  farm  near  Dayton.  He  resided  there  only  a  short 
time  before  selling  and  purchasing  the  south  half  of  the  north- 
west quarter  of  section  36  in  Cooper  township.  He  immediately 
began  improving  this  property  and  was  actively  engaged  in  its 
cultivation  until  1894.  During  those  years  he  brought  it  under 
a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  his  life  was  one  of  intense  and  well 
directed  activity.  He  also  purchased  the  south  half  of  the  north- 
east quarter  of  section  35,  the  north  half  of  the  southeast  quarter 
of  section  35  in  Cooper  township  and  the  northwest  quarter 
of  section  2^.  In  1894  he  removed  to  Manson,  Iowa,  where  he 
purchased  another  farm.  He  resided  there  until  his  death  which 
occurred  on  the  24th  of  October.  1S97.  The  mother  is  still  living 
on  the  old  home  place  in  Cooper  township  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
three  years. 

F'rank  H.  Frahm  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  under  the  par- 
ental roof,  and  the  common  schools  of  Iowa  afiforded  him  his 
educational  advantages  until  he  was  prepared  to  enter  the  German 
schools  of  Fort  Dodge.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until  he 
became  of  age  when  he  began  to  learn  stationary  engineering. 
He  worked  at  that  trade  in  I'ort  Dodge  intermittently  for  about 
si.\  vears.  .\fter  his  father's  death  he  determined  to  take  up 
agricultural  pursuits  and  he  purchased  a  farm  which  his  father 
had  previously  owned.  His  early  home  training  had  given  him 
some  experience  in  agriculture  and  he  has  become  a  most  suc- 
cessful farmer.  His  is  one  of  the  most  impro\'ed  one  hundred  and 
si.xtv  acre  farms  in  the  county,  lie  also  devotes  considerable  at- 
tention to  stock-raising. 

In  February,  1897.  I\[r.  Frahm  was  married  to  Miss  Christina 
Yunker,  a  daughter  of  H.  and  Etta  (Zimmerman)  Yunker,  both 
natives  of  Germany,  their  daughter  Christina  having  been  born 
there  F'ebruarv  18,  1870.  The  parents  never  came  to  this  coun- 
try. In  his  native  land  the  father  was  a  miller  by  trade  and 
worked  at  that  occupation  the  greater  part  of  his  life.  Later  he  pur- 
chased twenty  acres  of  land  which  he  operated  until  his  death 
which    occurred   in    1909.      The    mother   passed   away   in    1886. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  309 

Both  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Fralim  are  members  of  tlie  Presbyterian  church 
and  are  most  highly  esteemed  people.  Mr.  Frahm  belongs  to 
the  Masonic  Lodge,  the  Rednien  and  the  Ancient  Order  of  United 
A\'orkmen.  His  political  allegiance  has  ever  been  given  to  the 
republican  party  and  his  fellow  citizens  have  elected  him  a  mem- 
ber of  the  county  board  of  supervisors.  No  public  trust  reposed 
in  him  has  ever  been  betrayed  in  the  slightest  degree,  and  his 
fidelity  to  honorable  and  manly  principles  in  fraternal,  social, 
religious  and  political  circles  has  ever  won  for  him  the  good-will 
of  those  with  whom  he  has  been  brought  into  contact. 


\\TLLI.\M  CREGAN. 


William  Cregan  has  been  a  resident  of  Webster  county  since  he 
was  four  years  of  age  and  has  for  some  time  been  successfully  en- 
gaged in  various  lines  of  business  activity  in  Barnum,  where  he  is 
now  conducting  an  up-to-date  and  fast-growing  general  store.  He 
was  born  in  Illinois  in  October,  1873,  and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and 
Bridget  (Welch)  Cregan,  natives  of  Ireland.  His  father  came  to 
America  in  his  early  youth  and  settled  in  New  York,  where  he  worked 
out  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand  for  some  time.  He  later  went  to 
Illinois,  where  he  operated  a  farm  until  he  removed  to  Webster  county. 
Here  he  rented  land  in  Johnson  township  which  he  cultivated  until 
he  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  the  same  section,  w  hich 
he  operatetl  until  1909,  when  he  disposed  of  his  holdings  and  moved 
to  Barnum.  wht-re  he  is  now  li\ing-  retired.  His  wife  passed  away 
in  Sejiteniber,   lyi  i. 

Mr.  Cregan  was  reared  and  educated  in  Webster  county,  being 
four  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  this  section  with  his  parents. 
When  he  grew  to  manhood  he  herded  cattle  for  a  few  years,  abandon- 
ing this  occupation  in  order  to  engage  in  general  agriculture.  He 
rented  a  farm  in  Johnson  township  and  was  successful  in  the  cultiva- 
tion (jf  the  soil  fur  five  years.  .\t  the  end  of  that  time  he  moved  to 
Barnum  and  conducted  a  livery  for  hve  years.  He  sold  out  his 
interests  at  the  end  of  that  time  and  became  i<kMUifie<l  with  the  drug 
business  for  a  similar  period,  after  which  he  estal)lished  himself  in 
the  mercantile  line.  He  strives  to  keep  a  large  stock,  complete  in 
every  detail  and  has  his  goods  tastefully  and  attractively  arranged. 
He  owns  the  building  which  he  occupies  and  in  it  carries  on  a  fiourish- 


voi.  n— 1 8 


310  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

ing  and  constantly  expanding  business,  which  makes  him  one  of 
the  substantial  and  enterprising  merchants  of  his  city.  He  owns  in 
addition  an  eighty-acre  tract  of  land  in  Minnesota. 

Mr.  Cregan  is  a  stanch  republican  and  always  votes  the  party 
ticket.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church.  His  business 
success  has  come  as  a  natural  result  of  industry  and  intelligent  activity. 
He  strives  to  keep  pace  with  advancing  progress  and  never  allows 
his  stock  to  become  out  of  date.  He  keeps  his  methods  of  operation 
modern,  while  he  adheres  constantly  to  the  old  standard  of  strict 
honestv  in  all  the  relations  of  his  life. 


JOHN  W.  WONDERS. 


John  W.  Wonders,  successfully  engaged  in  business  as  the  pro- 
prietor of  a  lumberyard  at  Otho,  was  born  in  Illinois  in  July,  1863, 
his  parents  being  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Bennett)  Wonders,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  England.  The  father,  who  worked  as  a 
miner  in  that  country,  was  employed  in  the  coal  mines  of  Pennsyl- 
vania after  coming  to  the  United  States.  Subsequently  he  removed 
to  Illinois  and  later  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Boone  county,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  mining  for  some  time.  Coming  to  Webster 
county,  he  first  worked  in  the  coal  mines  here  but  afterward  em- 
barked in  the  mercantile  business  at  Kalo,  conducting  an  establish- 
ment of  that  character  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1884.  His 
wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  1889. 

John  W.  Wonders,  who  was  about  nine  years  of  age  when  he 
came  to  Webster  county  with  his  parents,  was  here  educated  and 
reared  to  manhood.  He  embarked  in  the  mercantile  business  at 
Kalo  in  association  with  his  brothers  and  later  opened  a  store  at 
Ogden,  which  was  subsequently  closed  out.  The  brothers  then  began 
business  at  Otho,  conducting  stores  at  Kalo  and  Otho  for  about 
twentv  vears,  on  the  exjMration  of  which  period  they  dissolved  the 
partnership.  John  W.  Wonders  afterward  made  his  way  to  Eort 
Dodge,  where  he  spent  a  year  with  the  Granger  Implement  Com- 
pany, in  which  he  still  retains  an  interest.  Returning  to  Otho.  he 
purchased  a  lumberyard  and  has  since  been  successfully  engaged 
in  business  along  this  line.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers 
Elevator  Company  of  Otho  and  well  deserves  recognition  among 
the  substantial  and  progressive  citizens  of  the  community. 


HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY  311 

In  October,  1890.  Mr.  Wonders  was  iinitetl  in  marriage  to  .Miss 
Emma  Schnurr,  who  was  born  near  Davenport,  Iowa,  in  1867,  her 
parents  being  Andrew  and  Amelia  (Hasse)  Schnurr.  Her  father, 
who  was  for  a  number  of  years  engaged  in  the  lumber  and  grain 
business  at  Otho,  is  now  a  resident  of  California.  The  mother  is 
deceased,  her  demise  occurring  in  November,  1903.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wonders  have  three  children,  Sylvia,  Frank  and  Donald.  John  W. 
Wonders  exercises  his  right  of  franchise  in  support  of  the  prohibi- 
tion ticket,  being  a  stanch  advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance.  In 
religious  faith  he  is  a  Methodist.  Both  he  and  his  estimable  wife 
have  a  host  of  warm  friends  throughout  the  community  and  justly 
merit  the  regard  and  esteem  which  is  uniformly  accorded  them. 


WILLARD  C.  AIXS WORTH. 

Willard  C.  Ainswqrth  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  of  four 
hundred  and  eighty  acres  in  Douglas  township,  where  he  has  been 
identified  w'ith  the  agricultural  interests  for  over  forty-five  years, 
having  located  here  soon  after  he  was  mustered  out  of  the  army 
in  1865.  He  belongs  to  an  old  New  York  family  and  was  born  in 
Madison  county,  that  state,  on  December  6,  1837,  his  parents  be- 
ing Leroy  and  Mary  (Carpenter)  Ainsworth.  The  parents  passed 
their  entire  lives  in  the  Empire  state,  where  the  father  followed 
the  blacksmith's  trade.  He  passed  away  in  1892  and  the  mother 
in  1884. 

The  first  twenty-three  years  in  the  life  of  Willard  C  Ainsworth 
were  passed  in  the  state  of  his  nativity.  He  was  reared  at  home 
and  given  the  advantages  of  a  lietter  education  than  was  re- 
ceived by  the  average  youth  of  that  period.  In  i860,  he  left  the 
parental  home  and  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Hamilton  county. 
After  a  year's  residence  there  he  removed  to  Boone,  where  he 
taught  school  until  May,  1864.  when  he  went  to  Davenport  and 
enlisted  in  the  army.  He  went  to  tiie  front  as  a  member  of 
Company  D,  Thirty-second  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  remaining 
in  the  service  until  the  close  of  hostilities,  during  which  period 
he  was  incapacitated  for  a  time  by  a  broken  leg.  When  mustered 
out  he  returned  to  Boone  county,  but  suhsec|ucntly  came  to  W^eb- 
ster  county,  purchasing  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Douglas  town- 
ship,   which    formed    tlie    nucleus    of    his    present    farm.        He 


312  HISTORY  OF  WEBSTER  COUNTY 

experienced  many  discouragements  and  hardships  during  those 
early  days,  having  been  compeHed  to  pay  for  his  original  tract  of 
land  three  times,  because  of  a  dispute  in  the-  title.  Owing  to  the 
scarcity  of  money  and  the  general  conditions  then  existing  in 
the  business  world  this  unfortunate  circumstance  greatly  retarded 
his  progress  and  to  a  man  of  less  resolution  of  purpose  would 
have  proven  hopelessly  discouraging.  Mr.  Ainsworth,  however, 
is  most  persistent  and  enterprising  and  applied  himself  with  the 
determination  that  enabled  him  to  surmount  his  difficulties  and 
gradually  forge  ahead.  Y'ear  by  year  he  was  able  to  advance  his 
interests  and  extend  the  boundaries  of  his  farm  until  he  held  the 
title  to  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  fertile  land.  The  place 
is  well  improved  and  equipped  and  is  one  of  the  valuable  prop- 
erties of  the  township.  Mr.  Ainsworth  has  prospered  in  his  un- 
dertakings of  recent  years  and  is  now  numbered  among  the  sub- 
stantial citizens  of  his  community.  Beside  farming  interests  he  is 
one  of  the  stockholders  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Fort  D'odge. 

In  Webster  county,  in  Se])leml)er.  \X(>^.  ]\lr.  Ainsworth  was 
married  to  Miss  Julia  A.  Stexens.  a  daughter  of  Socrates  G. 
and  Harriet  (Jones)  Stevens,  who  are  mentioned  at  greater 
length  elsewhere  in  this  work.  To  them  have  been  born  five 
children,  as  follows:  Harriet  M.,  who  lives  at  home;  Minnie  A., 
the  wife  of  E.  D.  \\'ilson.  an  attorney  at  Jefferson.  Iowa:  W'illard 
L.,  wdio  is  operating  his  father's  farm  :  Adelaide  L.,  formerly  a 
practicing  physician  of  Waterloo,  Iowa,  who  passed  away  in 
April,  1904;  and  Alburn  S..  who  is  a  lawyer  at  Thompson  Falls. 
Montana. 

The  family  affiliate  with  the  Congregational  church,  and  fra- 
ternally Air.  Ainsworth  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  Politically  he  is  a  republican,  giving  his  support  to 
the  progressive  faction  of  that  party.  A  man  oi  many  estimable 
qualities,  honest  and  upright  in  matters  of  business  and  straight- 
forward and  reliable  in  all  transactions.  Mr.  Ainsworth  enjoys  the 
respect  and  esteem  of  his  neighbors  and  fellow  citizens,  who  have 
had  ample  opportunity  to  prove  his  worth  during  the  long  period 
of  his  residence  in  the  community. 


INDEX 


Acher,  A.  E 19ii 

Ainsworth,  W.  C 311 

Allstot,    C.   H 138 

Alton,  W.  E 16G 

Anderson,    C.    A SO 

Anderson,   S.   E.   E 6l' 

Arent,   Charles    106 

Ashton.  Thomas   63 

Ashton,    J.   B < 65 

Baldwin,    H.    H ..217 

Baldwin,  Dr.  H.  H 277 

Barrowman,    'Wiilliam    206 

Bass,   James    110 

Beshey,   A.   L 130 

Bloom,    Erie    24.5 

Bohnenkamp,    C.    A 36 

Brown,    E.    V 119 

Burgfried,    Edward    280 

Burke,   P.   T 279 

Burnquisr,    B.    B 49 

Campbell,    .Tames     37 

Carey,    ilary   A 88 

Carter,   Stewart    86 

Christensen,   Chris    182 

Coffin,  L.  S 148 

Colby,   W.   H.   H 209 

Collins,    Hugh     90 

Corey,    M,    N U 

Courtright,    J.    E 22') 

Craig,   Frank,   Sr 243 

Cregan,   'William    309 

Daly,    M.    R 79 

Daiighenbaugh,   A.   F 292 

Davidson,   E.   T 201 

Dawley,  A,  JI 207 

Dawson,    T.    H 143 

Dean,  S.  M 117 

Doftiver,    J.    J 272 

Dolliver,    J.    P IS 

Dolliver.    V.    B 284 

Donahoe,    Thomas    304 

Drake,    F.    B 130 

Duncombe,  C.  F 282 

Diincombe,   J.    P 5 

Dunning,    E.    M 96 

Dwyer,    J.    D 46 

Dwyer,   Owen    236 

Eastman,  J.  H 17) 

Ekfelt,  A.  J 48 


Fallon,  J.   C 102 

Faw  kes,    Francis    215 

Findlav,  C.  V 249 

Flanagan,  P.  F 219 

Flvnn,   P.   T 104 

Ford,   J.   F 91 

Forsberg,    W.    0 193 

Fortney,    G.    W 247 

Fortnev,  J.  D 100 

Frahm,   F.   H 307 

Granger,    C.   L . .  .211 

Green,   Darwin    97 

Gruver,    Perrv    124 

Guhl,  A.  H.  F 220 

Gnrnetf,    M.    D 54 

Gurnett,  T.  F 224 

Hagans,  J.  W 136 

Halligan,    T.    J 180 

Hanrahan,  .John   192 

Hanson,  O.  C 70 

Hart,   G.   D 74 

Hart,    N.    H 293 

Hastings,    E.   E 44 

Haviland,    W.    C 227 

Haviland,  W.  E 107 

Hcaly,  M.  F 256 

Hepler,    C.    B 176 

Houge,    A.    E 81 

Houge,    P.    A 271 

Hunter,    B.    P 238 


Jones,  A.  W. 


68 


Kendall,    Eilward     202 

Kime,  .1.  W 121 

Knudson,    C.    C 265 

Knutson,  A<lolph   162 

Knutson,  Alfred   162 

Larrabee,    Charles    6 

Larrabee,    Frederic    213 

Larrabee,  William    31 

Lauderdale.   Maude    134 

Lind,   J.   A 82 

Lindberg,   A.   C 42 

Lindberg,   J.    A 262 

Lindquist,   J.   A 98 

Lingard,   G.   E 145 

Lingard,   William    140 

Lowrv,    J.    D 17 

Lundberg,    C.    V 188 

Lutz,   F.   F 179 


313 


314 


INDEX 


MeDermott,  W.  J 85 

McNeely,    Theulious    92 

McQuilkin,   A.  D 254 

Mallinger,    Peter    146 

Mason,  G.  W 233 

Messerole.  C.   G 289 

Miller,    L.    V 183 

Mitchell,    P.    M 260 

MollenJioff,  August    286 

Monk,   J.   F    33 

Mulroney,    J.    M 172 

Myrland",    L.    0 142 

Newdeek,  L.  W 163 

Nicholson,   W.   Ii 56 

Oleson,   O.   M 101 

Olney,   F.   B 38 

Parsons,   C.    D 129 

Patton,   A.   F 50 

Pearsons,    G.    B 244 

Peterson,    T.   K 190 

Post,  "W.  J 291 

Powers,    Walter     269 

Pratt,    H.    M 237 

Pratt,   L.   H 274- 

Prusia,    F.    E 11 

Richards,  A.  L 184 

E07,    Emma    165 

Euebel,  Frederick    15 


Eussell,  E.  D 299 

Rutledge,   J.  1 108 

Eyan,   J.   W 297 

Schnurr,   F.   A 306 

Schnurr,    George    84 

Schnurr,    "William    303 

Sims,    T.    F 232 

Springer,   F.    M 71 

Springer,    G.    F 230 

Stevens,   Marv   J 253 

Swanson,   S.   P 195 

Swanstrom,   C.   J 72 

Tennant,  A.   E 197 

Todd,    John     61 

Turner,    W.    E 13 

Wagner,    N.    J 123 

Weiss,   E.   L 89 

Wildman,   W.    M 251 

WJlliams,   E.   H 288 

Williams,  J.  B 27 

Wonders,   J.   W 310 

Wonders,   T.  W 301 

Woodard,   C.   H 302 

Woodard,  O.  J 10 

Wright,    A.    E 267 

Wright,  E.  M 66 

Yant,  O.  G 127 


23  1932 


•Vl' 


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